Types of drugs, their mechanisms, and their use, and other information

What is the mechanism of Aricept?

ACh esterase inhibitor

What is Aricept used for?

Alzheimer’s

Why is Aricept used for Alzheimer’s?

because ACh is incredibly important for the communication of neurons

What is the mechanism of levodopa? 

precursor to dopamine 

What is levodopa used for?

Parkinson’s

Why would you give a patient with Parkinson’s levodopa rather than straight dopamine?

because levodopa can cross the blood brain barrier but dopamine cannot

What is the mechanism of Chlorpromazine?

dopamine receptor agonist

What is Chlorpromazine used for?

schizophrenia

What is the mechanism of reserpine?

blocks storage of serotonin in synaptic vesicles 

What is reserpine used for?

originally high blood pressure

What did reserpine help create?

the monoamine hypothesis of depression

What is the mechanism of tricyclics? 

Block the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine

What are tricyclics used for?

depression

What is the mechanism of MAOIs?

block the breakdown of serotonin and norepinephrine

What are MAOIs used for?

depression

What is the mechanism of fluoxetine?

SSRI (more serotonin in the synaptic cleft)

What are SSRIs used for?

depression

What is the mechanism of well butrin? 

blocks the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine

What is well butrin used for?

depression

What is special about well butrin for treating depression?

it is a time released drug

What is the mechanism of benzodiazepines?

bind to GABA, opening a Cl- channel, hyperpolarization occurs, turn off the neuron

What are benzodiazepines used for?

anxiety