Psychotropic drugs Flashcards by Sidnee Nichol

Define full agonist

the drug mimics the effects of a neurotransmitter

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Define partial agonists

the drug mimics a neurotransmitter but only to a lower point

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Define antagonists

the drug blocks the effects of a neurotransmitter

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Define inverse agonists

the drug produces the opposite effect of the neurotransmitter

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What mnemonic is used for describing serotonin and what does it stand for?

DOMAINS

Depression
Obsession
Migraines
Anxiety
Intestines (90% of all serotonin is in the GI tract and it drives motility)
Nausea ( meds cause nausea)
Sexual (meds cause sexual dysfunction)

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What is the mnemonic for Dopamine and what does it stand for?

DOPAMINE

Drugs (strong roll in addiction)
psychOsis
Prolactin inhibition
Attention (decreased)
Motivation (decreased)
Involuntary movements (SE)
Nausea (SE)
Energy (SE)

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Describe Norephinephrine

-sympathetic nervous system
-fight or flight response (increased concentration, focus, energy, HR and BP and decreased GI and urinary function)

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What is the trick to remembering what GABA is?

“think of falling asleep when your instructor is gabbing on and on…”
–> helps decrease insomnia, anxiety and agitation

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What are GABAergic meds?

-meds that promote GABA
-barbiturates
-benzodiazepines
-ETOH (modulates GABA)

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Describe Glutamate

-excitatory
-amplifies learning, memory, processing thoughts and sensory input

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Describe Acetylcholine and what mnemonic is used for Acetylcholine?

-PSNS (rest and digest, feed and breed)
SLUDGEM

Salivation
Lacrimation (the flow of tears)
Urination
Diaphoresis
GI effect
Emesis
Miosis (pupil constriction)

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Define Miosis

pupil constriction

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Define Lacrimation

the flow of tears

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What is the mnemonic for histamine and what does it stand for?

hISTAmine

Insomnia
STomach acid
Allergies

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How do opioids work?

they bind to the opioid receptors in the brain

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What is the mnemomic for opioids?

ARMED C

Analgesia
Respiratory depression
Miosis
Euphoria
Drowsiness
Constipation

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What are the three main parts of the brain?

-brain stem
-cerebellum
-cerebrum

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What does the brain stem control?

all of the most primitive parts, such as vitals signs and other things that we do not have conscious control of

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What is the limbic system responsible for?

-fight or flight response when confronted with a stressor
-emotional part of the brain

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What is the cerebrum responsible for?

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-highest level of the brain
-executive functioning
-highest evolutionary aspect of the brain
-when the limbic system takes over (ex. during anxiety) executive functioning goes offline and the emotions take over– so we are not able to make decisions, think logically and rationally

What causes disturbances of mental function?

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a combination of many factors, including:
-environment
-genes
-altered neurons (norepinephrine, serotonin, dopamine, glutamate, GABA)

What variables cause variation in drug effects?

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-age (both very young and old)
-ethnicity
-polypharmacy

What cultural considerations must be considered for medication administration?

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Asian descent: require 1/2 to 1/3 dose antipsychotics and have more severe side effects

Cardiovascular effects of propranolol
Asian descent– more sensitive
African descent– less sensitive

NOTE: not a blanket statement, it is individualized based on the person

What are the phases of drug treatment?

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Initiation
Stabilization
Maintenance
Discontinuation

Describe the initiation phase of drug treatment

requires close monitoring for side effects (especially if naive), checking vital signs, etc. clients need a lot of support and teaching to promote adherence

Describe the stabilization phase of drug treatment

titrating of doses, frustrating for clients -continue to monitor for side effects and teach about coping mechanisms

Describe the maintenance phase of drug treatment

seen in community setting, ongoing monitoring for adherence and side effects -usually seen in the community

Describe the discontinuation phase of drug treatment

can take place in the community or hospital setting, medications are tapered slowly and patient is monitored

What drugs are used to treat anxiety and insomnia?

Barbiturates (-barbital's) Benzodiazepines (-azepam's and -azolam's)

Define tolerance

when the patient requires more and more of the med to achieve the same benefits

What Benzo's are short-acting?

triazolam, oxazepam and midazolam

What are the long-acting benzo's?

diazepam, chlordiazepoxide

What are the intermediate-acting benzo's?

lorazepam, clonazepam, alprazolam and temazepam

What short-acting sedative is used for insomnia?

-zopiclone (hypnotic sleep agent) causes: anterograde amnesia and somnambulism (sleep walking)

Define somnambulism

sleep walking

Describe Buspirone Hydrochloride (Bustab)

-for GAD -melatonin receptor agnoist, GABA is not involved -counters sexual side-effects of SSRIs

Describe Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

-for GAD and anxiety related to depression -can cause sexual dysfuntion

What mental illness can beta blockers be used for?

-Propranolol -useful for performance anxiety as it works on the cardiovascular symptoms (racing heart, sweaty palms, diaphoresis) -helps calm things down

What is Gabapentin used for?

-the treatment of anxiety when it is comorbid to another MH illness

What is melatonin used for?

-insomnia and anxiety -it is a naturally occurring hormone that increases at nightfall -may not consider that this is still a hormone we are increasing and could have it's own SEs

What is Trazadone used for?

-anxiety and insomnia -is an antidepressant -causes very severe sedation effects so should be taken at bedtime

What is Prazosin used for?

-anxiety and insomnia related to nightmares from PTSD

What is Baclofen used for?

-muscle relaxant for treatment of anxiety and insomnia

What is Hydroxyzine used for?

-antihistamine with intense sedating effect that is good for insomnia -helps with getting to sleep, but not staying asleep -can interfere with sleep cycle, so do es not actually provide good quality sleep (using Gravol to help them sleep)

What are the drug treatment types for depression?

Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)

What is the gold standard drug treatment for depression?

SSRIs

What is Clomipramine used for?

-is is a Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA) that is the gold standard treatment for OCD

What is the rule of thirds?

1/3 of patients will improve completely 1/3 will improve somewhat 1/3 will not improve Applies to patients with antidepressants

What 2 medications for Bipolar Disorder decrease the rates of suicide?

lithium carbonate and clozapine

Psychotropic drugs Flashcards

(49 cards)