Psychopharmacology, Dietary Supplements, and Biologic Interventions

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering key terms and definitions from the lecture notes.

Psychopharmacology

The study of how drugs affect the mind, behavior, and mental disorders, including psychiatric medications, dietary supplements, and biologic interventions.

Dietary supplements (mental health)

Non-prescription substances used to support mental health; may interact with medications and have variable efficacy.

Biologic interventions

Medical treatments that influence brain function, such as ECT, TMS, and VNS, used in mental health care.

Mood stabilizers

Medications that prevent manic and depressive episodes (e.g., lithium, certain anticonvulsants) and require therapeutic monitoring.

Antipsychotic medications

Drugs to treat psychosis; divided into typical (first-generation) and atypical (second-generation) with different side effect profiles.

Typical antipsychotics

First-generation antipsychotics; effective for psychosis but with higher risk of extrapyramidal side effects.

Atypical antipsychotics

Second-generation antipsychotics; broader efficacy with potentially fewer movement-related side effects but more metabolic risks.

Lithium

A mood stabilizer used in bipolar disorder; requires regular monitoring of blood levels and organ function.

Anticonvulsants (mood stabilization)

Anticonvulsant medications (e.g., valproate, lamotrigine) used as mood stabilizers with safety monitoring.

Antidepressants

Medications that alleviate depressive and anxiety symptoms; classes include SSRIs, SNRIs, and TCAs.

SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)

Increase serotonin by inhibiting its reuptake; common side effects include headache, nausea, insomnia, and sexual dysfunction.

SNRIs (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors)

Block reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine; may raise blood pressure and cause nausea or dizziness.

TCAs (Tricyclic Antidepressants)

Older antidepressants affecting multiple neurotransmitters; effective but with sedation and anticholinergic risks.

Antianxiety and Sedative-Hypnotics

Medications for anxiety and sleep; include benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepines; risk of dependence and withdrawal.

Benzodiazepines

A class of fast-acting anxiolytics/sedative-hypnotics; potential for dependence and withdrawal.

Wakefulness-promoting agents

Drugs like modafinil that promote alertness; used for sleep disorders with lower abuse potential than traditional stimulants.

Stimulants (ADHD/narcolepsy)

Methylphenidate and amphetamines that increase dopamine and norepinephrine to improve attention and wakefulness; require careful monitoring.

Modafinil

A wakefulness-promoting agent used for narcolepsy; lower abuse potential than traditional stimulants.

ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy)

A biologic treatment for severe, treatment-resistant depression; evolved to safer techniques with broader use today.

TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation)

Noninvasive brain stimulation used for treatment-resistant depression.

VNS (Vagus Nerve Stimulation)

Biologic therapy involving electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve, used for certain depressive disorders.

Pharmacodynamics

Study of how drugs interact with biological systems, including targets like receptors and the resulting effects.

Receptors

Biological targets (proteins) that drugs bind to; can be activated by agonists or blocked by antagonists.

Agonists

Molecules that activate receptors to produce a biological response.

Antagonists

Molecules that block receptors, preventing a response (no activation).

Affinity

Strength of binding between a drug and its receptor.

Intrinsic activity

Ability of a drug to activate a receptor after binding.

Selectivity

Ability of a drug to target specific receptors with fewer effects on others.

Ion channels, Enzymes, Carrier proteins

Other drug action targets that influence cellular processes and therapeutic effects.

Pharmacokinetics

The body's handling of a drug: absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.

Absorption

Process by which a drug enters the bloodstream after administration.

Distribution

Dispersion of a drug through body tissues to reach the site of action.

Metabolism

Body’s chemical alteration of a drug, mainly in the liver.

Excretion

Elimination of drugs and metabolites from the body.

Pharmacogenomics

How genetic differences affect individual drug response and tailoring of treatment.

Biological influences on drug response

Factors like age, gastric absorption, renal function, and liver metabolism affecting outcomes.

Adherence

Extent to which patients take medications as prescribed; influenced by side effects and education.

Side effects

Unwanted drug effects that can impact safety and adherence.

Therapeutic index

Ratio of toxic to effective drug doses; guides safe and effective dosing.

Efficacy

Ability of a drug to produce the intended therapeutic effect.

Potency

Amount of drug needed to achieve a specific effect; informs dosing.

Desensitization

Rapid decrease in drug effect after repeated exposure, potentially requiring dose changes.

Tolerance

Need for higher doses to achieve the same effect after prolonged use.

Toxicity

Harmful effects from drug levels exceeding a safe threshold; requires monitoring.

FDA milestones (overview)

Key regulatory milestones shaping drug safety/efficacy: 1906 Pure Food and Drugs Act; 1938 FD&C Act; 1962 Kefauver-Harris Amendments; 1992 PDUA; 2012 FDA Safety and Innovation Act.

Initiation phase (treatment phases)

Initial phase: assessment, diagnosis, selection and start of a medication.

Stabilization phase

Phase where response to medication is monitored and dose adjusted for optimal effect.

Maintenance phase

Phase focused on keeping the patient stable, ensuring adherence, and managing side effects.

Discontinuation phase

Gradual tapering off treatment under supervision to minimize withdrawal.

Evidence-based indications

Clinical indications supported by research and guidelines for specific medications.

Target symptoms

Measurable symptoms (e.g., mood, anxiety, psychosis) that medications aim to improve.

Measurable symptoms

Symptoms that can be observed and tracked over time to gauge treatment response.

Herbal supplements in mental health

Herbs like St. John’s Wort used as adjuncts but with interaction risks and variable efficacy.

Tardive dyskinesia

Chronic movement disorder from long-term antipsychotic use; often irreversible.

Extrapyramidal syndromes (EPS)

Acute movement disorders (dystonia, pseudoparkinsonism, akathisia) associated with antipsychotics.