Pharmacology

Question 1

What is an anxiolytic?

Answer 1

Drug used to relieve anxiety

Question 2

What are the 4 classes of anxiolytic drugs?

Answer 2

SSRI
Benzodiazepines
Tricyclic antidepressants
Beta-blockers

Question 3

How do SSRI’s work? What is serotonin?

How long does it take for these to work?

Answer 3

• They block the reuptake of serotonin, meaning more serotonin is available to be sent between nerve cells
• A neurotransmitter that causes feelings of well-being and happiness
• 2 to 4 weeks

Question 4

Give 4 examples of SSRI’s

Answer 4

Sertraline
Fluoxetine
Citalopram
Escitalopram

Question 5

What is a benzodiazepine?

Answer 5

Class of psychoactive drugs, they reduce anxiety, relax the muscles and induce sleep

Question 6

Give 2 examples of benzodiazepines

Answer 6

Lorazepam
Diazepam
Temazapam
Clonazapam

Question 7

What does a TCA do?

Answer 7

Increase levels of norepinephrine and serotonin

Block the action of ACh

Question 8

Give 2 examples of TCA

Answer 8

Amitriptyline
Nortriptyline
Clomipramine

Question 9

Why are TCAs not given as 1st line tx anymore?

Answer 9

Can be taken as an overdose

Can have unpleasant side effects

Question 10

What is a beta-blocker? How do they work with anxiety?

Answer 10

Block the receptors for the hormone epinephrine/adrenaline

BB stop some of the physical symptoms eg sweating, high HR, tightness in chest etc

Question 11

Give 3 examples of beta-blockers

Answer 11

Atenolol
Bisoprolol
Metoprolol
Propanolol

Question 12

What are the 5 classes of antidepressants?

Answer 12

SSRIs
Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
TCA
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors 
Atypical agents

Question 13

What is an SNRI? How does it work?

Answer 13

• Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors

- Block reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, theres more available to be sent between cells

Question 14

Give 3 examples of SNRIs

Answer 14

Duloxetine
Venlafaxine
Desvenlafaxine

Question 15

What is an MAO?

How do they work?

Answer 15

Monoamine Oxidase inhibitor
Selectively and reversibly inhibits MAO enzyme (MAO enzyme removes norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine from the brain, so it prevents this)

Question 16

Give 2 examples of MAOs

Answer 16

Phenelzine
Isocarboxazid
Selegiline

Question 17

What is an atypical agent? How do they work?

Answer 17

Second generation antipsychotics

Block dopamine 2 receptors in the brain, thus DA released there has less effect on the brain

Question 18

Give 3 examples of atypical antipsychotics

Answer 18

Risperidone
Clozapine
Olanzapine
Quetiapine

Question 19

What are the 2 classes of antipsychotics?

Answer 19

1st generation - typical

2nd generation - atypical

Question 20

What are typical antipsychotics?
How do they work?
How long do they take to work?

Answer 20

• 1st line antipsychotics for psychotic patients
• Block dopamine 2 receptors in the brain, thus DA released there has less effect on the brain
• hours or days, up to 4-6 weeks

Question 21

Give 3 examples of typical antipsychotics

Answer 21

Haloperidol
Chlorpromazine
Depixol
Clopixol (injection)

Question 22

What is a mood stabiliser? How do they work?

Answer 22

Drugs used to treat mood disorders with intense and sustained mood shifts

Question 23

Name 3 examples of mood stabilisers

Answer 23

Lithium
Carbamazepine 
Valproate 
Lamotrigine 
Asenapine

Question 24

What is a psychostimulant?

Answer 24

Drug that increases levels of alertness by increasing levels of DA

Question 25

Give 2 examples of psychostimulants

Answer 25

Modafinil Methylphenidate Methamphetamine Ephedrine

Question 26

What are the 6 main branches of psychiatric pharmacology?

Answer 26

``` Anti-depressants Hypnotics Anxiolytics Mood-stabilisers Psychostimulants Anti-psychotics ```

Question 27

What is a hypnotic?

Answer 27

Drugs that induce sleep for the treatment of insomnia, or as surgical anaesthesia

Question 28

What are the two classes of hypontics used?

Answer 28

Benzodiazepines | Zopiclone

Question 29

What should patients be given after an opioid overdose? | Give an example

Answer 29

Opioid antagonist | IV Naloxone

Question 30

What are the 2 drugs patients should be given if they come in with cocaine overdose? HINT - you need to name one

Answer 30

- IV Diazepam - Calcium channel blocker (CBB) Verapamil

Question 31

What are the two drugs given to patients with alcohol withdrawal?

Answer 31

Chlodiazapoxide | Acamprosate/Naltrexone

Question 32

What are two potential classes of drugs given to pt with BPD/EUPD?

Answer 32

Mood stabilisers | Second-generation antipsychotics

Question 33

What are 3 drug classes that can be given to bipolar pt?

Answer 33

Mood stabilisers Anti-psychotics Anti-convulsants

Question 34

What's the first line tx for schizophrenic pt?

Answer 34

Atypical anti-psychotics

Question 35

Whats the 1st line drug tx for pt with moderate/severe depression? Give 2 examples

Answer 35

Anti-depressants, SSRI's | Sertraline, Fluoxetine

Question 36

What is given to a patient with moderate to severe depression who presents with psychosis?

Answer 36

Antidepressants and anti-psychotics

Question 37

First-line tx for a patient with dysthymic disorder? | Give an example

Answer 37

Antidepressants | SSRIs, Sertraline

Question 38

What two drugs may be given to pt with Cyclothymia? Give an example of each What is significant about its prescription?

Answer 38

Mood stabilisers - Li Antidepressants - SSRI, Sertraline Medication isn't favoured

Question 39

What medications may be given to patients with SAD (Seasonal affective disorder)? Give an example

Answer 39

Antidepressants | SSRI, Sertraline

Question 40

What is an approved herbal remedy that works for SAD (Seasonal affective disorder)?

Answer 40

St Johns Wort

Question 41

What are the 2 classes of drugs given to pt with Dementia? | Give an example of each

Answer 41

AChE inhibitors - Donepezil | NMDA - Mematine

Question 42

What class of drugs may be given to patients with delirium?

Answer 42

Anti-psychotics

Question 43

Why do you medicate pt with GAD (generalised anxiety disorder) in 2 different ways?

Answer 43

Rapid management | Long-term management

Question 44

What would you give a patient for rapid GAD (generalised anxiety disorder) tx?

Answer 44

Benzodiazepine

Question 45

What 2 drugs could you give a patient for long-term GAD (generalised anxiety disorder) tx? Give an example

Answer 45

Antidepressant OR Venlafaxine

Question 46

What are the 2 types of antidepressants you could prescribe to a pt with GAD(generalised anxiety disorder)?

Answer 46

Paroxetine | Escitalopram

Question 47

Why should you not give sertraline to a patient with GAD(generalised anxiety disorder)?

Answer 47

It is not licenced to be given

Question 48

What is the first line drug tx for PTSD pt? | Give an example of each

Answer 48

SSRI + TCA | Paroxetine and Mirtazapine

Question 49

When is drug tx considered for OCD pt?

Answer 49

In moderate-severe cases

Question 50

What type of drug is given first line to OCD pt?

Answer 50

Antidepressant, SSRI

Question 51

What if the SSRI is not useful in treating the OCD pt? 2nd line? (HINT, there are 2 answers)

Answer 51

SSRI + antipsychotic OR TCA (clomipramine)

Question 52

What is the 1st line drug tx for pt with social anxiety disorder? Give 2 examples

Answer 52

Antidepressants, SSRI | Sertraline and escitalopram

Question 53

What is the second line tx for pt with social anxiety disorder? Give 2 examples

Answer 53

TCA | Imipramine or Clomipramine