Pharmacology Flashcards: Psychotropic and Antiepileptic Drugs (EPA, Administration, ADRs)

Vocabulary-style flashcards pairing each medication with its EPA, administration details, and adverse drug reactions (ADRs).

Diazepam (Valium)

EPA: Enhances GABA → CNS depression. Administration: Oral, rectal, IV; short-term use; slow IV push; taper slowly. ADRs: Sedation, respiratory depression, hypotension, dependence, withdrawal risk. Therapeutic uses: Seizures, anxiety, muscle spasms, alcohol withdrawal.

Alprazolam (Xanax)

EPA: Enhances GABA → CNS depression. Administration: Oral; avoid alcohol; taper gradually. ADRs: Sedation, dizziness, memory impairment, dependence, withdrawal symptoms. Therapeutic uses: Anxiety, panic disorder.

Buspirone (BuSpar)

EPA: Partial serotonin agonist → decreases anxiety without sedation. Administration: Oral; take consistently (not PRN); effect in weeks. ADRs: Dizziness, nausea, headache, nervousness (no dependence). Therapeutic uses: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

Amitriptyline (Elavil)

EPA: Blocks serotonin & norepinephrine reuptake. Administration: Oral; usually at bedtime; taper off slowly. ADRs: Anticholinergic effects, sedation, orthostatic hypotension, cardiotoxicity, weight gain. Therapeutic uses: Depression, neuropathic pain, insomnia.

Fluoxetine (Prozac)

EPA: Inhibits serotonin reuptake. Administration: Oral daily; takes weeks for effect. ADRs: Insomnia, GI upset, sexual dysfunction, weight changes, serotonin syndrome, withdrawal if stopped abruptly. Therapeutic uses: Depression, anxiety, OCD, bulimia, PTSD.

Venlafaxine (Effexor XR)

EPA: Inhibits reuptake of serotonin & norepinephrine. Administration: Oral, XR; taper gradually. ADRs: Hypertension, insomnia, nausea, sexual dysfunction, withdrawal if stopped abruptly. Therapeutic uses: Depression, anxiety, panic disorders.

Phenelzine (Nardil)

EPA: Inhibits monoamine oxidase → ↑ serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine. Administration: Oral; avoid tyramine foods (aged cheese, wine). ADRs: Hypertensive crisis, orthostatic hypotension, insomnia, weight gain. Therapeutic uses: Depression (when other meds fail).

Bupropion (Wellbutrin)

EPA: Blocks norepinephrine & dopamine reuptake. Administration: Oral; morning dosing; avoid in seizures/eating disorders. ADRs: Insomnia, agitation, weight loss, seizures, headache (less sexual side effects). Therapeutic uses: Depression, smoking cessation, ADHD (off-label).

Lithium Carbonate (Lithobid)

EPA: Alters sodium transport in neurons → stabilizes mood. Administration: Oral; narrow therapeutic index (0.6–1.2 mEq/L); monitor kidney, thyroid. ADRs: Tremor, polyuria, GI upset, hypothyroidism, renal toxicity, lithium toxicity (confusion, ataxia, seizures). Therapeutic uses: Bipolar disorder (mania & maintenance).

Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)

EPA: Blocks dopamine (D2) receptors. Administration: Oral, IM; monitor for EPS & NMS. ADRs: EPS (dystonia, tardive dyskinesia, parkinsonism), sedation, orthostatic hypotension, anticholinergic effects, NMS. Therapeutic uses: Schizophrenia, psychosis, nausea, hiccups.

Risperidone (Risperdal)

EPA: Blocks dopamine & serotonin receptors. Administration: Oral or long-acting IM; monitor weight, glucose, cholesterol. ADRs: Weight gain, diabetes, dyslipidemia, sedation, dizziness, ↑ prolactin (gynecomastia, amenorrhea). Therapeutic uses: Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, autism irritability.

Baclofen (Lioresal)

EPA: GABA agonist → inhibits spinal reflexes. Administration: Oral or intrathecal; taper slowly. ADRs: Drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, constipation, seizures if withdrawn abruptly. Therapeutic uses: Muscle spasms, spinal cord injury, MS.

Dantrolene (Dantrium)

EPA: Inhibits calcium release from SR in skeletal muscle. Administration: Oral (spasticity), IV (malignant hyperthermia). ADRs: Muscle weakness, hepatotoxicity, diarrhea, drowsiness. Therapeutic uses: Muscle spasms, malignant hyperthermia.

Phenytoin (Dilantin)

EPA: Blocks sodium channels → slows neuron firing. Administration: Oral/IV; monitor therapeutic range (10–20 mcg/mL); give IV ≤50 mg/min. ADRs: Gingival hyperplasia, diplopia, rash, ataxia, hypotension, teratogenicity. Therapeutic uses: Seizures (except absence).

Carbamazepine (Tegretol)

EPA: Blocks sodium channels → reduces excitability. Administration: Oral with food; monitor CBC, sodium. ADRs: Bone marrow suppression, SIADH (low Na), rash (SJS), vision problems. Therapeutic uses: Seizures, trigeminal neuralgia, bipolar disorder.

Valproic Acid (Depakote)

EPA: ↑ GABA, blocks Na/Ca channels. Administration: Oral or IV; monitor LFTs, amylase/lipase. ADRs: Hepatotoxicity, pancreatitis, GI upset, weight gain, teratogenic (neural tube defects). Therapeutic uses: Seizures, bipolar disorder, migraines.

Phenobarbital (Sezaby)

EPA: Enhances GABA → CNS depression. Administration: Oral, IM, IV; taper off gradually. ADRs: Sedation, dependence, respiratory depression. Therapeutic uses: Seizures, sedation.

Levetiracetam (Keppra)

EPA: Modulates neurotransmitter release. Administration: Oral or IV; adjust in renal impairment. ADRs: Drowsiness, dizziness, mood/behavioral changes. Therapeutic uses: Seizures.

Gabapentin (Neurontin)

EPA: Enhances GABA activity. Administration: Oral; taper off slowly. ADRs: Drowsiness, dizziness, ataxia, fatigue, edema. Therapeutic uses: Seizures, neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia.

Lorazepam (Ativan)

EPA: Enhances GABA → CNS depression. Administration: Oral, IV, IM; IV preferred for status epilepticus. ADRs: Sedation, hypotension, respiratory depression, dependence. Therapeutic uses: Seizures, anxiety, sedation.

Adderall (Amphetamine/Dextroamphetamine)

EPA: CNS stimulant; ↑ dopamine & norepinephrine release. Administration: Oral, AM dosing. ADRs: Insomnia, weight loss, tachycardia, hypertension, misuse potential. Therapeutic uses: ADHD, narcolepsy.

Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta)

EPA: CNS stimulant; ↑ dopamine & norepinephrine. Administration: Oral, patches; AM dosing. ADRs: Insomnia, anorexia, tachycardia, hypertension, abuse potential. Therapeutic uses: ADHD, narcolepsy.

Modafinil (Provigil)

EPA: Promotes wakefulness via hypothalamic pathways. Administration: Oral, AM dosing. ADRs: Headache, nausea, anxiety, insomnia, rare SJS. Therapeutic uses: Narcolepsy, shift-work sleep disorder.