Psych pharm Flashcards
(216 cards)
Most psychotropic medications - how are they soluble?
lipid-soluble and metabolized by cytochrome P450 liver enzymes
if you’re a slow metabolizer, more likely to get
seratonin syndrome or Parkinsonism. or if too fast, meds won’t be as effective - need higher doses.
Most antipsychotics block which receptors?
postsynaptic dopamine (D2) receptors. (Atypicals also antagonize 5HT2 - this is serotonin) which reduces the amount of dopamine.
dont need to memorize - Effects on the ***mesolimbic area (limbic hallucinations)
decrease psychotic symptoms, especially hallucinations and delusions
dont need to memorize Effects on basal ganglia- too much (gang up on the ESPs)
produce EPS due to the many different transmitters and synapses utilized in this area
dont need to memorize - Effects on the hypothalamus - think milk
lead to increased pituitary production of prolactin with endocrine side effects (e.g. gynecomastia and galactorrhea (breast milk in ppl who should not be lactating)
Blockade of acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors results in
anticholinergic side effects - careful w/ elderly pts.
Antagonism of norepinephrine at alpha-1 receptors results in (nora is slow w/ ejaculation)
orthostatic hypotension and ejaculatory dysfunction
Blockade of H1 receptors for histamine results in (sneezing weight)
sedation and weight gain
Abrupt withdrawal of antipsychotics may cause (a syndrome)
discontinuation syndrome - Therefore, antipsychotics should be tapered slowly, esp. after long-term use. - main reason is ppl can relapse
Cross-tolerance can occur with
antipsychotics
Typicals - less effective for what?
Effective at treating positive symptoms (e.g. hallucinations and delusions), but less effective at treating negative symptoms (e.g. avolition, alogia, apathy, social withdrawal)
typicals - High potency neuroleptics (and examples) - (high potency, high EPS) (hi pro hal)
High potency neuroleptics (e.g. Haldol and Prolixin) have higher risk of EPS, but less anti-cholinergic side effects.
typicals - Low potency neuroleptics (antipsychotics) (low potency, low BP)
have less risk of EPS, but higher risk for orthostatic hypotension, sedation and anticholinergic side effects (urinary retention)
typicals - Depot injections: ex. and how long do they last? (hal is a pro at injections)
Haldol and Prolixin can both be given as IM Decanoates (deep muscle time released) that last q3-4 to weeks.
deconoates - problem
No antidote for decanoates if someone has a bad reaction - ie. NMS or dystonia. it’s usually give PO to see if pt can tolerate it before a shot. Extremely useful for very disorganized and noncompliant clients. Don’t confuse Depot injections with short-acting IM solutions!
atypicals - good or bad at selecting dopamine receptors?
Greater selectivity for dopamine receptor subtypes and/or block 5HT receptor sites.
atypicals - better at treating what
Believed to be more effective than typicals at treating negative symptoms, with less risk of EPS (but CATIE study has cast doubt on this belief!)
atypical - Clozaril (clozapine)
Clozaril (clozapine): very effective, but a “last-resort” drug b/c of the 1-3% chance of agranulocytosis (destruction of WBC). Pts must comply with life-long, frequent blood draws (WBC/ANC).
atypical - Olanzapine - side effect
(Ola is severely heavy)
Zyprexa (olanzapine): also works well, but associated with severe weight gain (average = 28 pounds in first-year), DM, lipid abnormalities.
atypical - Risperdal (risperidone) - side effect
(risper is unsteady and heavy)
Risperdal (risperidone): (most like typical antipsychotics) fewer anticholinergic side effects (considered safer in the elderly), but some orthostatic hypotension and weight gain.
atypical - Seroquel - what abnormal lab?
Seroquel (quetiapine): most common side effects include orthostatic hypotension and sedation (often given off label for anxiety, agitation and insomnia). Can also cause some weight gain and lipid abnormalities.
Ziprasidone - typical or atypical)
atypical
atypical - Abilify - MOA (pip is able to stabilize dopamine)
Abilify (aripiprazole): technically a “Third generation antipsychotic (TGA); dopamine stabilizer; efficacy less clear