Antidepressants

Antidepressants

Medications used to treat depression, anxiety, and OCD.

SSRIs

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; first-line drugs for depression.

Examples of SSRIs

Sertraline (Zoloft), Fluoxetine (Prozac), Escitalopram (Lexapro), Paroxetine (Paxil), Citalopram (Celexa).

Nursing Points for SSRIs

Watch for suicidal ideation, risk of Serotonin Syndrome, and it takes 2–4 weeks to work.

SNRIs

Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors used for depression and anxiety.

Examples of SNRIs

Venlafaxine (Effexor), Duloxetine (Cymbalta).

Nursing Points for SNRIs

Monitor blood pressure.

Atypical Antidepressants

A class of antidepressants including Bupropion and Trazodone.

Key Point for Bupropion

Avoid use in patients with seizure disorders.

Key Point for Trazodone

Commonly used for sleep.

Antipsychotics

Medications used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and psychosis.

Typical Antipsychotics

First-generation antipsychotics with a higher risk for movement disorders.

Examples of Typical Antipsychotics

Haloperidol, Chlorpromazine.

Side Effects of Typical Antipsychotics

Include Tardive Dyskinesia and Extrapyramidal Symptoms.

Atypical Antipsychotics

Second-generation antipsychotics, more commonly used today.

Examples of Atypical Antipsychotics

Risperidone, Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Aripiprazole.

Nursing Points for Atypical Antipsychotics

Monitor for weight gain, diabetes risk, and metabolic labs.

Mood Stabilizers

Medications used to treat bipolar disorder.

Gold Standard Mood Stabilizer

Lithium.

Therapeutic Level for Lithium

0.6–1.2 mEq/L.

Signs of Lithium Toxicity

Tremor, vomiting, confusion.

Anticonvulsant Mood Stabilizers

Mood stabilizers including Valproic Acid, Lamotrigine, Carbamazepine.

Key Nursing Point for Anticonvulsants

Monitor liver function and blood counts.

Anti-Anxiety Medications

Medications used to treat anxiety.

Benzodiazepines

Used for acute anxiety or panic attacks.

Examples of Benzodiazepines

Lorazepam, Alprazolam, Diazepam.

Nursing Points for Benzodiazepines

Consider sedation, fall risk, and dependence risk.

Non-Benzodiazepine

Buspirone; used for anxiety.

Key Point for Non-Benzodiazepines

No addiction risk, takes 2–4 weeks to work.

Medications for EPS

Used to treat side effects of antipsychotics.

Examples of EPS Medications

Benztropine, Diphenhydramine.

Used for EPS Symptoms

Dystonia and parkinsonism.

Must-Know Medications for LPNs

Sertraline, Fluoxetine, Bupropion, Haloperidol, Risperidone, Olanzapine, Lithium, Valproic Acid, Lorazepam, Buspirone.