D398 Psychotropic Medications, Alcohol, and Drug Abuse

Drugs that can exert a therapeutic effect on a person’s mental processes, emotions, or behavior are ________.

psychotropic

CNS stimulants are used to treat _________.

central nervous system dysfunction

Antidepressant medications are used primarily to treat _______.

various types of depression

Lithium salts are used to treat _________.

bipolar disorders

Anxiolytics are used to treat ____________.

anxiety disorders, neurosis, some psychosomatic disorders, and insomnia

Side effects of controlled CNS stimulants can include _______.

dilated pupils with photophobia, nervousness

Side effects of tricyclics may include _________.

increased appetite and weight gain, postural hypotension, and cardiac arrhythmia

Side effects of MAOIs may include _________.

headache, stiff neck, hypertension, or hypertensive crisis

Side effects of the SSRIs may include _________.

sexual dysfunction, anorexia, diarrhea, sweating, insomnia, anxiety, and dizziness

Side effects of heterocyclic antidepressants may include ________.

drowsiness, insomnia, restlessness, anxiety, dry mouth, impotence, and weight gain

Side effects of lithium therapy may include __________.

cardiac arrhythmia, hypotension, thirst and polyuria, tremors, and thyroid problems

Side effects of anxiolytic benzodiazepines may include ________.

depression, hallucination, bizarre behavior, amnesia, ataxia, and extrapyramidal reactions

Which list describes relative contraindications or cautions to be observed with CNS stimulants?

Hyperthyroidism, history of drug dependence, alcoholism, or eating disorders

Heterocyclics should be used cautiously in which patient populations?

Those who exhibit suicidal tendencies, patients with seizure disorders, and those with cardiac problems

Caution should be used when buspirone (Buspar) is administered to patients with _________.

renal and hepatic impairment

Which mechanism of action is descriptive of SSRIs?

Selective blockade of serotonin reabsorption

Long-term physiological effects of alcohol use include ________.

liver damage, pancreatitis, esophageal varices, gastritis, ulceration, cardiomyopathy, and hemorrhage.

Symptoms of chronic amphetamine abuse include ___________.

emotional lability, anorexia, amnesia, photophobia, and paranoid syndrome

Drugs that interact with antipsychotics by prolonging the QT interval fall into which categories?

Phenothiazines, Quinolones, Antiarrhythmic agents

Side effects of hallucinogens may include __________.

flashbacks, panic, and psychotic episodes