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Olivia MD3 1st semester > Psych medications > Flashcards

Psych medications Flashcards

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1
Q

what do we need to advise patients to avoid with MAO inhibitor medications?

A

avoid tyramine containing food

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2
Q

should we use benzodiazepines long term or short term

A

short term, as they are very addictive

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3
Q

what are the indications for anti-depressants?

A

depression
anxiety disorders
neuropathic pain

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4
Q

what are TCA generally used for now?

A

refractive depression and neuropathic pain

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5
Q

what is the anti-depressant that we prescribe for children?

A

fluoxetine

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6
Q

which anti-depressants usually are associated with withdrawal syndrome?

A

paroxetine and venlafaxine

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7
Q

what anti-depressant works particularly well in bulimia?

A

paroxetine

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8
Q

what type of drug is mirtazepine?

A

alpha 2 antagonist

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9
Q

main side effects of sertraline?

A

gastrointestinal upset- nausea, diarrhoea

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10
Q

what are some general considerations before starting on anti-depressants?

A
  1. that when starting the drug, suicide risk/anxiety increases initially
  2. caution with history of bleeding- some antidepressants can interfere with platelet number. caution in warfarinised patients
  3. advise about long term side effects- generally sexual dysfunction is the main one associated with non-compliance
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11
Q

how should we commence anti-depressant therapy? which drug, which dose, how long?

What are the general practice points of anti-depressants

A

First line is SSRI.
Start with small dose, then escalate to maximum full dose. Trial for 6 weeks- as that is when you start getting effect
If tolerated, treat for 6-12 months
Taper dose/wean at the end of treatment.

If SSRI not tolerated after 6 weeks, taper slowly then change within class or change to drug from another class.

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12
Q

what are some augmenting pharmacological therapies for anti-depressants?

A

second anti-depressant, thyroxine, second generation agents, lithium

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13
Q

what are the drugs that we can use for anxiety

A

• Benzodiazepines
• Buspirone
• Anti-depressants
Beta blockers

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14
Q

which psychiatric disorders do we NOT use benzodiazepines with?

A

OCD and PTSD

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15
Q

how do benzodiazepines work?

A

act on chloride channels

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16
Q

what is the difference between benzodiazepines used for sleep disturbance as compared to anxiety?

A

benzos used for sleep disturbance are generally short acting. benzos used for anxiety are generally longer acting

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17
Q

what are some withdrawal effects of benzodiazepines?

A 
• Distorted vision
• Depersonalisation
• Risk of seizures- abrupt withdrawal
• Muscular spasms
Change in smell
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18
Q

main adverse effect of benzodiazepines?

A

psychomotor impairment

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19
Q

what are the z drugs?

A

Zopiclone + zolpidem

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20
Q

which out of typical and atypical anti-psychotics do we normally use nowadays?

A

atypical

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21
Q

name the three main anti-psychotics prescribed

A

risperidone, olanzapine, clozapine

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22
Q

SE of olanzapine?

A

increases PRL–> galactorrhoea, can also cause extrapyramidal symptoms

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23
Q

SE of risperidone?

A

weight gain–> pre-diabetes, extrapyramidal side effects, PRL elevation

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24
Q

SE of clozapine?

A

can cause agranulocytosis/ cardiomyopathy/weight gain–> need to do regular WCC and ECG/echo, risk of type 2 diabetes

+ drowsiness + hypersalivation!!!!

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25
when would we consider intramuscular injection for anti-psychotic medication
when patient is non-compliant
26
what tests do we do prior to commencing a bipolar patient on lithium?
Need to do TFT, UEC, urinalysis, renal function, FBE, ECG before commencement of lithium
27
biggest SE of lithium?
polyuria and polydipsia (think diabetes insipidus)
28
what do we need to regularly check for patients on lithium?
• TFTs need to be done six monthly. • Plasma levels of lithium needs to be monitored on a regular basis bc narrow therapeutic index • Minimum effective plasma concentration is 0.4mmol/L Trough of lithium plasma dose--> needs to be between 0.4 and 0.8 mmol/L (for maintenance/prophylaxis)
29
SE of lithium
metallic taste, nausea, diarrhoea, epigastric discomfort, weight gain, fatigue, headache, vertigo, tremor, acne, psoriasis, leucocytosis, nephrotoxicity (below), hypothyroidism (usually asymptomatic), hypercalcaemia, hyperparathyroidism, benign T wave changes on ECG
30
what else other than lithium can we use for bipolar disorder?
anticonvulsants, e.g. valproate, carbamazepine, lamotrigine
31
when do we avoid lithium in pregnancy?
first trimester, and during breast feeding
32
what is the mechanism of action of anti-psychotic medications?
1. inhibit dopamine 2 receptors 2. modulate nerve growth factors 3. 2nd gen drugs also serotonin receptors
33
which out of second generation anti-psychotic medications is most associated with extrapyramidal side effects?
risperidone
34
how might we manage extrapyramidal side effects of anti-psychotic drugs?
benztropine IM (anti-cholinergic)
35
name the two most common first gen typical anti-psychotics
haloperidol and chlorpromazine
36
what are the key symptoms of neuroleptic malignant syndrome as provoked by anti-psychotics?
hypertonia, fever, autonomic instability, delirium
37
how to treat akathesia?
beta blockers e.g. propanolol
38
what are some signs of lithium toxicity?
nausea, diarrhoea, tremor, dizziness, thirst/polydipsia, altered consciousness, spasticity/muscle spasms (if severe)
39
what can cause lithium toxicity?
renal impairment- ACE inhibitors, NSAIDs | dehydration
40
half life of lithium?
30 hrs
41
what is cymbalta?
duloxetine
42
what is lexapro?
escitalopram
43
what is prestiq?
desvenlafaxine
44
what is valdoxen?
aglomelatonin
45
what is seroquel?
quetiapine- antipsychotic
46
what SE of quetiapine is useful for some patients?
helps with sleep
47
how long on anti-psychotics does it take for psychotic symptoms to remit? And what would we consider if the symptoms do not remit?
usually reduced psychotic symptoms occur between 3-6months after commencing anti-psychotics. If not resolved, then we consider chlozapine
48
a patient is on both anti-psychotic medication and benzodiazepines. Which would need to be ceased if the patient commences ECT?
benzodiazepine would need to be ceased as it is an anti-convulsant- e.g. increases seizure threshold, shortens seizure duration and decreases the intensity of ECT seizure
49
what is paroxetine particularly good for?
PTSD and bulimia
50
if a patient is on lithium and is about to commence ECT, should we be worried?
yes- as it can cause acute delirium in high doses. So need to taper slightly e.g. withhold few doses prior to ECT or reduce the dose
51
what is the most addictive benzodiazepines?
alprazolam (xanax)
52
what type of benzodiazepines are more addictive than others?
short half life benzodiazepines
53
what can you use for emergency situations of anxiety (drugs)?
IV valium | IM midazolam
54
what is stilnox?
zolpidem
55
what is imovane?
zopiclone
56
what is normison
temazepam
57
what are some sedative anti-depressants?
agomelatine, mirtazepine, mianserin, amitriptyline
58
what are some sedative anti-psychotics?
quetiapine, chlorpromazine, pericyazine
59
SE/risks of zolpidem?
automatic actions + amnesia + addiction
60
why does lithium have a narrow therapeutic index of action?
it is an ion. Li2+. So this means that it has a narrow therapeutic index and you have to regularly measure serum lithium levels. If lithium is too low, it will be ineffective. If lithium is too high, then you can cause toxicity.
61
what are the therapeutic levels for lithium in management of acute mania and prophylaxis/maintenance?
Acute mania: 0.5–1.2 mmol/L. | Prophylaxis: 0.4–1 mmol/L.
62
what are some things that can alter lithium serum concentration?
Dehydration (may occur with gastrointestinal viral infections or high fever) causes higher lithium levels/ excessive sweating ●Increasing sodium intake causes increased sodium and lithium excretion and lower lithium levels ●Decreased sodium intake causes sodium and lithium reabsorption in the proximal tubule and an increase in serum lithium levels. drug interactions such as diuretics/NSAIDs and ACE inhibitors
63
who are at risk of lithium toxicity?
1. ill and dehydrated patients 2. those with underlying renal impairment 3. elderly who have reduced eGFR 4. patients who are on drugs that increase lithium level
64
usual daily dose range for fluoxetine?
20-40mg
65
usual daily dose range for sertraline?
50-200mg
66
usual daily dose range for escitalopram?
10-20mg
67
usual daily dose range for paroxetine?
20-40mg
68
usual daily dose range for venlafaxine?
75-150mg
69
usual daily dose for desvenlafaxine?
50mg
70
what is effexor?
venlafaxine
71
what is arapax?
paroxetine
72
what is cymbalta?
duloxetine
73
what is prozac?
fluoxetine
74
main use for clozapine?
treatment resistant schizophrenia need to try at least two other anti-psychotic medications
75
what are some depot forms of anti-psychotics?
risperidone olanzapine (not commonly used now) apiprazole haloperidol
76
how do you manage acute mania pharmacologically?
lithium +/- anti-psychotics (olanzapine/risperidone/quetiapine)
77
perinatal complication of lithium in pregnancy
increased risk of ebstein's anomaly (congenital tricuspid valve malformation)
78
what are some side effects of discontinuation syndrome in antidepressants?
Dizziness" •  Tiredness" •  Headache" •  Depression" •  Anxiety" •  Insomnia" •  Nausea •  Diarrhoea" •  Emotional lability" •  Poor concentration" •  Flu-like symptoms" •  Paraesthesia" •  Visual disturbance"
79
what is largactil?
chlopromazine
80
what is zyprexa?
olanzapine
81
what is abilify? and what is good about it?
aripiprazole- less weight gain, no PRL elevation, less EPSE, no anticholinergic effects
82
what are the key differences between first and second gen antipsychotics
1. 2nd gen less EPSE 2. different receptor profile 3. 2nd gen better at managing negative symptoms 4. 2nd gen better efficacy in general (e.g. clozapine)
83
how might serotonin syndrome be precipitated?
1. SSRI + SSRI 2. SSRI + Li 3. SSRI + Maoi/TCA 4. SSRI + tryptan
84
what are some things you need to warn a patient about who is on chlopromazine?
can cause erythema when exposed to sunlight can cause cholestatic liver dysfunction higher risk of EPSE and tardive dyskinesia can cause retinal pigmentation other SE such as metabolic syndrome/PRL/sedation/orthostatic hypotension
85
what is the relationship between smoking and clozapine??
smoking --> increased metabolism of clozapine so clozapine levels decrease so if the patient has stopped smoking, clozapine levels will rise
86
which SSRIs should we avoid in pregnancy/breastfeeding and why?
fluoxetine (long half life--> particular concern during breastfeeding) paroxetine (fetal heart defect)
87
what electrolyte disturbance can SSRIs cause?
hyponatremia

Olivia MD3 1st semester (16 decks)

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