mental health nursing Psychopharmacology Study Guide

what is an agonist

Acts like a neurotransmitter

Turns signal ON

Increases activity

what is an antagonist

• Blocks receptor

• Signal cannot get through

• Decreases activity

what is a reuptake inhibitor

• Keeps neurotransmitter in synapse longer

• Increases effect

what does serotonin control (Neurotransmitter)

Mood, sleep, appetite

what does dopamine control

Motivation, movement, psychosis

what does GABA control

Calming, anxiety reduction

when dopamine is really low what does is cause

• Parkinson's disease

• Depression

when dopamine levels are really high what does it cause

• Schizophrenia

• Mania

when serotonin levels are really low what does it cause

Depression

when serotonin is really high what does it cause

Anxiety

what does low GABA levels cause

• Anxiety disorders

• Schizophrenia

• Mania

what does low acetylcholine levels cause

• Alzheimer's disease

• Parkinson's disease

what is a antianxiety and hypnotic drug medication

Benzodiazepines

what are examples of benzodiazepines

• Lorazepam (Ativan)

• Alprazolam (Xanax)

• Diazepam (Valium)

• Clonazepam (Rivotril)

how do benzos work

• Enhance GABA

• Produce calming effect

what are the side effects of benzos

• Drowsiness

• Dizziness

• Confusion

• Slurred speech

• Memory problems

• Muscle weakness

what is a medication for insomnia

Zopiclone (Imovane)

what are some antidepressant medications

SSRIs (First-Line), TCA’s, MAOIs

what are some examples of SSRI’s

• Fluoxetine (Prozac)

• Sertraline (Zoloft)

• Escitalopram (Cipralex)

• Citalopram (Celexa)

• Paroxetine (Paxil)

what are the side effects of SSIRs

• Sexual dysfunction

• Emotional blunting

• Enteric upset

• Dream changes

what foods to avoid when taking MAOIs

tyramine foods like

Cheese
❌ Pickles
❌ Dark chocolate
❌ Wine
❌ Beer

due to hypertensive crisis

when does suicide risk increase after beginning treatment

First 2–4 weeks of treatment because Energy returns before mood fully improves

• Increased ability to act on suicidal thoughts

what is a mood stabilizer medication and what is it used for

lithium

Bipolar disorder

• Especially effective for mania

what is a side effect of lithium

• Tremor

• Polyuria

• Drowsiness

• Dizziness

when taking lithium, what to remember about sodium

High sodium = ↓ lithium effectiveness

Low sodium = ↑ lithium toxicity