Psychotropic Medications

Question 1

All psych meds cause two things

Answer 1

hypotension + weight gain

Question 2

Phenothiazines

Answer 2

tranq and anti depressants - all end in ZINE
reduce psychotic symptoms

Question 3

Side effects of Phenothiazines

Answer 3

ABCDEFG

Anticholinergic (dry mouth)
Blurred vision and bladder retention
Constipation
Drowsiness
Extra Pyramidal Syndrome (EPS - looks like parkinsons)
Fortosensitivity (skin burns)
Agrandulocytsis (low white count) report sore throat + signs of infection

Question 4

Diazepam

Answer 4

Benzodiazepine (valium)
Minor tranquilisers (anxiety)
End in lam/pam

Side effects ABCD
Anticholinergic (dry mouth), blurred vision, bladder, constipation, drowsiness

Question 5

Amitriptyline
Nortriptyline

Answer 5

Tricyclic Antidepressants
mood elevators to treat depression
if TRIP is in the name it is a TRIcyclic antidepressant

Side Effects ABCDE
Anticholinergic (dry mouth)
Blurred vision, bladder retention
Constipation
Drowsiness
Euphoria (happy happy joy joy)

2-4 weeks for meds to work

Question 6

Phenelzine
Tranylcypromine

Answer 6

Monamine Oxidase (MAO) Inhibitors
Antidepressants

RANDOM NAMES if ? asks what food to avoid for depressed pt = MAOI

Side effects ABCD
Anticholinergic (dry mouth), blurred vision, bladder retention, constipation, drowsiness

RISK FOR HYPOTENSIVE CRISIS
*AVOID TYRAMINE - BAR bananas, avocados, raisins (any dried fruit), no organ meats, no preserved meats, no aged cheeses, no yogurt, no alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, soy sauce, licorice

Question 7

Lithium

Answer 7

an electrolyte to treat bipolar disorder
Anti-mania, does nothing for depression, not a tranq

Side effects - 3 P’s
polyuria, persistant diarrhea, parasthesia (numbness, tingling)

toxic >2 - tremors, metallic taste, severe diarrhea - give forced fluids/electrolytes if sweating

monitor sodium levels

Question 8

fluoxetine (prozac)

Answer 8

SSRI antidepessant - same info as tri-cyclis
has XET or XEP

side effects ABCDE
Causes insomnia so give before noon

Watch for suicide when changing the dose

Question 9

Haloperidol

Answer 9

major tranq - same info as phenothiazines
side effects ABCDEFG

Question 10

Clozapine

Answer 10

used to treat severe schizophrenia
NO side effects ABCDEF
DIsadvantage - it does have agranulocytosis (trach WBC) worse than cancer treatment

Question 11

Sertralene (zoloft)

Answer 11

another SSRI like fluoxetine
SE - ABCDE
Insomnia in the first few weeks but can be given in evening
Watch for interactions with (almost any other drug)
- St johns wort - serotonine syndrome
SAD Head
Sweating, Apprehension, Dizzy, Headache
Warfarin - watch for increased bleeding

Stop taking immediately