mood stabilizers drug quiz

lithium carbonate

mood stabilizing salt

anticonvulsants

• valproate/valproic acid

• valproate/divalproex sodium

• carbamazepine

• lamotrigine

• gabapentin

lithium carbonate action

alters electrical conductivity; onset of action is 10 to 20 days. Stabilizes mood.

lithium carbonate adv. &disadv.

-adv: very effective

-disadvantage: low therapeutic range (0.8-1.2)

lithium carbonate AE and toxicity

• AE: nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. Increased s/s later in therapy (these symptoms can be expected early in treatment) → report s/s (can be s/s of early toxicity)

• early toxicity: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

• causes problems with electrolyte imbalances, can cause renal or thyroid disease

• fine hand tremors can be expected in beginning but coarse hand tremors are NOT expected

• if patient has toxic levels → stop med and go to doctors

lithium carbonate teaching

-keep normal salt intake (less than 2300 mg)

-maintain normal fluid intake (1500-3000mg)

-diarrhea or vomiting → call doctor

-start of GI upset or abdominal pain → take with milk or meal → unbearable → cal doctor

-no caffeinated beverage, avoid alcohol and drugs

-do not give to patient with history of Cardiovascular history, history of liver or thyroid, or pregnant women

anticonvulsants action

slow the electrical activity which will reduce those mania symptoms we see in patients

valproate/valproic acid/divaproex sodium

• SE: tremors, GI upset, weight gain, sedation

• Maintain a healthy, adequate diet

• Tremors increase → side effect → turn into coarse hand tremors/or if Fien hand tremors get worse → call doctor

• need baseline bloodwork and future bloodwork

• effects all parts of the body

• hard on the liver and can cause liver problems in the future

carbamazepine SE/INV.

-SE: sedation, ataxia, and anticholinergic symptoms

-Teach/Inv: dries body out → maintain a healthy diet, fiber. Dry mouth → suck on candy

-Do not change eye prescription if they have glasses

-Report symptoms if they are getting worse

-Monitor blood work for CBC (risk of infection)

-teach about possibility of infection due to blood count

-REQUIRE bloodwork

lamotrigine SE

• can develop life threatening rash (Steven Johnson syndrome)

• Teach about monitor skin and rashes dont develop

• If does → notify doc immediately or go to the ER