Psychopharmacology Exam 2

Alprazolam

Xanax

Benzodiazepine

Clonazepam

Klonopin

Benzodiazepine

Lorazepam

Ativan

Benzodiazepine

Diazepam

Valium

Benzodiazepine

Chlordiazepoxide

Librium

Benzodiazepine

Temazepam

Restoril

Benzodiazepine

Triazolam

Halcion

Benzodiazepine

Midazolam

Versed Injectable

Benzodiazepine

Buspirone

BuSpar

Atypical Agent

Hydroxyzine

Vistaril

Atarax

Atypical Agent

Diphenhydramine

Benadryl

Atypical Agent

Gabapentin

Neurontin

Atypical Agent

Propranolol

Inderal

Alpha/Beta-Blocker

Atenolol

Tenormin

Alpha/Beta-Blocker

Metoprolol

Lopressor

Alpha/Beta-Blocker

Prazosin

Minipress

Alpha/Beta-Blocker

Clonidine

Catapres

Alpha/Beta-Blocker

Representative Agents - SSRIs

Sertraline

Escitalopram

Primary Molecular Target - SSRIs

Serotonin Reuptake

Used to Treat - SSRIs

GAD

Social Anxiety,

Panic

OCD

PTSD

Representative Agents - SNRIs

Duloxetine

Venlafaxine

Primary Molecular Target - SNRIs

Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake

Used to Treat - SNRSs

OCD

GAD

Panic

Representative Agents - Benzodiazepines

Lorazepam

Alprazolam

Primary Molecular Target - Benzodiazepines

GABA

Used to Treat - Benzodiazepines

Acute Panic

GAD in Short Term

Representative Agents - Atypical (Azapirones)

Buspirone

Primary Molecular Target - Atypical (Azapirones)

5-HT1A Receptor

Used to Treat - Atypical (Azapirones)

GAD

Representative Agents - Beta-Blockers

Propranolol

Primary Molecular Target - Beta-Blockers

Beta-Adrenergic Receptors

Used to Treat - Beta-Blockers

Situational anxieties (off-label)

Representative Agents - Alpha-Blockers

Clonidine

Prazosin

Primary Molecular Target - Alpha-Blockers

Alpha-1 Adrenergic Receptors

Used to Treat - Alpha-Blockers

Situational anxieties (off-label) Insomnia

Nightmares

Addictive Potential - Benzodiazepine

Direct modulation of the GABA-A receptor complex induces immediate positive sensations, driving elevated risk for psychological addiction.

Tolerance Dynamics - Benzodiazepine

Long-term use leads to increasing tolerance, accelerating chemical dependence.

Dangerous Withdrawal Syndrome - Benzodiazepine

Abrupt discontinuation after prolonged use causes severe CNS rebound hyper-excitability. Withdrawal is clinically hazardous and can result in extreme anxiety, hallucinations, and fatal epileptic seizures. Withdrawals must be medically monitored.

CNS Depressant Potentiation - Benzodiazepine

Consuming Benzodiazepines with other CNS depressants—particularly alcohol, barbiturates, or muscle relaxants—produces a synergistic (not additive) depressive effect on brainstem respiratory centers.

The Opioid Triad Risk - Benzodiazepine

Combining BZDs and opioids leads to extreme sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death by accidental overdose.