Transcript Pharmtech review: Anxiety Drugs

Pharmtech review: Anxiety Drugs
AntiAnxiety Drugs
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Characterized by worry and apprehension
For controlling stress
Addictive liability very high
Birth (teratogenic) effects if taken during
pregnancy!!!
• Relax muscles, good for sedation but may cause
depression
• Because of easy addiction, should be tapered off
in dosing
Examples of anti-anxiety meds
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Valium (diazapam)
Xanax (alprazolam)
Ativan (lorazepam)
Ambiens (zolpidem)
Librium (Chlordiazepoxide)
Equanil (meprobamate)
Serax (oxazepam)
Depression
• Feelings of pessimism, worry, sadness, loss of
concentration, slow mental processes, eating
and sleeping difficulties
Anti-depression meds:
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSR’s)
• Block reuptake of neurotransmitter in brain,
serotonin, so it lasts longs and stimulates the
brain’s activities, euphoric.
• Indicated for major depression and OCD
• Take over a week to start working and
• Avoid all ethanol
Examples of SSR’s
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Celexa (citalopram)
Cymbalta (duloxetine)
Lexapro (escitalopram)
Prozac (fluoxetine)
Paxil (paroxetine)
Zoloft (sertraline)
Effexor (venlafaxine)
Prozac (fluoxetine)
Trycyclic antidepressants (TCA’s)
• Block reuptake of epinephrine and/or
serotonin
• For depression
• Cardiotoxic
• Lightheadedness
• Takes weeks to see effects
Examples of TCA’s
• Elavil (amitriptyline)
• Sinequan (doxepin)
• Tofranil (imipramine)
Bipolar Medications
• Alternating periods of manic and depressive
symptoms
• A depressive psychosis
Bipolar Meds
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Abdominal aches and bloating
Bloody stools
Teratogenic!
Lithium in this group; must take blood tests to
determine actual blood level of lithium
• Lithium interacts with many other
medications
Bipolar Meds
• Tegretol (carbamazepine)
• Depakote (divalproex)
Anti-psychotic Meds
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Pts. retreat from reality
Delusional
Hallucinations
Side effects include: sedation, sun tanning
spots, bone marrow depression, tremors.
• Taper off drug, takes weeks to be effective
Examples of antipsychotics
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Abilify (Aripiprazole)
Haldol (haloperidol)
Compazine (prochlorperazine)
Seroquel (quetiapine)
Risperadal (risperidone)
Drugs for Insomnia
• Difficulty falling or staying asleep
• Side effects; depression of CNS, dizziness
• Addictive liability
Examples of meds for insomnia
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Xanax (alprazolam)
Librium (chlordiazepoxide)
Valium (diazepam)
Lunesta (eszopiclone)
Ativan (lorazepam)
Ambien (zolpidem)
Drugs for convulsions/epilepsy
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Recurring periodic seizures
Disturbances of CNS electrical activity
Gran mal, petit mal, myoclonic, tetanic
Block synapses from firing
Side effects; sedation, loss of cognition
Examples of anticonvulsants
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Tegretol (carbamazepine)
Klonopin (Clonazepam)
Valium (diazepam)
Depakote (divalproex)
Neurontin (gabapentin)
Lyrica (pregabalin)