Psychopharmacology Review

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts from psychopharmacology as related to the effects and mechanisms of various psychotropic agents.

Psychotropic Agents

Chemical substances that affect the mind, mood, and behavior, which can be either endogenous (produced within the body) or exogenous (from outside the body).

Endogenous

Substances or agents that are produced internally within the body, such as neurotransmitters.

Exogenous

Substances or agents that come from outside the body, such as pharmaceutical drugs.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical compounds produced in the body that transmit signals across synapses to impact various physiological functions.

Dose-Response Relationship

The correlation between the dose of a drug and the biological response it elicits.

Therapeutic Index (TI)

A measure of a drug's safety, calculated as the ratio of the lethal dose (LD) to the effective dose (ED) of the drug.

Pharmacokinetics

The branch of pharmacology concerned with the movement of drugs within the body.

Pharmacodynamics

The study of the effects of drugs on the body and the mechanism of their action at the cellular level.

Route of Administration

The path by which a drug is brought into contact with the body, which can include oral, intravenous, or inhalation methods.

Rate of Absorption

The speed at which a drug is absorbed into the bloodstream and reaches its site of action.

Bioavailability

The proportion of a administered drug that reaches the systemic circulation and is available for action.

Hallucinogens

A class of drugs that induce hallucinations or altered states of perception, mood, and thought.

Antidepressants

A class of medications used to treat depression and other mood disorders.

Stimulants

Drugs that increase alertness, attention, and energy by enhancing the activity of neurotransmitters.

Depressants

Substances that reduce neural activity and slow body functions, often used to induce relaxation or sleep.

Anxiolytics

Medications used to alleviate anxiety, often acting as sedatives.

Narcotics

A subset of opioids used to relieve pain, which can also produce sedation and euphoria.

Psychotomimetics

Substances that can induce psychoactive effects similar to those seen in psychosis, often used in research.

Bipolar Disorder Medications

Medications prescribed to stabilize mood in individuals with bipolar disorder.

General Anesthetics

Drugs used to induce a state of controlled unconsciousness for surgery.

Enzymatic Degradation

The process by which enzymes break down substances, such as drugs, in the liver before elimination.