Antidepressants

  1. Antidepressants (Depression, Anxiety, OCD)

    • SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)
      Most commonly prescribed first-line drugs.

      • Sertraline (Zoloft)

      • Fluoxetine (Prozac)

      • Escitalopram (Lexapro)

      • Paroxetine (Paxil)

      • Citalopram (Celexa)

    • LPN Nursing Points

      • Watch for suicidal ideation early in therapy

      • Risk of Serotonin Syndrome

      • Takes 2–4 weeks to work

    • SNRIs
      Used for depression and anxiety.

      • Venlafaxine (Effexor)

      • Duloxetine (Cymbalta)

    • Nursing Point

      • Monitor blood pressure

    • Atypical Antidepressants

      • Bupropion (Wellbutrin)

      • Trazodone

    • Key Points

      • Bupropion → avoid in seizure disorders

      • Trazodone → commonly used for sleep

  2. Antipsychotics (Schizophrenia, Bipolar, Psychosis)

    • Typical (First-Generation) Higher risk for movement disorders.

      • Haloperidol

      • Chlorpromazine

    • Side Effects

      • Tardive Dyskinesia

      • Extrapyramidal Symptoms

    • Atypical (Second-Generation) Most commonly used today.

      • Risperidone

      • Olanzapine

      • Quetiapine

      • Aripiprazole

    • Nursing Points

      • Weight gain

      • Diabetes risk

      • Monitor metabolic labs

  3. Mood Stabilizers (Bipolar Disorder)

    • Gold Standard

      • Lithium

    • Important Nursing Points

      • Therapeutic level: 0.6–1.2 mEq/L

      • Toxicity signs:

      • tremor

      • vomiting

      • confusion

    • Anticonvulsant Mood Stabilizers

      • Valproic Acid (Depakote)

      • Lamotrigine

      • Carbamazepine

    • Key Nursing Point

      • Monitor liver function and blood counts

  4. Anti-Anxiety Medications (Anxiolytics)

    • Benzodiazepines Used for acute anxiety or panic attacks.

      • Lorazepam

      • Alprazolam

      • Diazepam

    • Nursing Points

      • Sedation

      • Fall risk

      • Dependence risk

    • Non-Benzodiazepine

      • Buspirone

    • Key Points

      • No addiction

      • Takes 2–4 weeks to work

  5. Medications for EPS (Side Effects of Antipsychotics)

    • Benztropine

    • Diphenhydramine

    • Used for:

      • dystonia

      • parkinsonism

Quick “Must-Know” Short List for LPNs
If you memorize just 10 meds, make it these:

  1. Sertraline

  2. Fluoxetine

  3. Bupropion

  4. Haloperidol

  5. Risperidone

  6. Olanzapine

  7. Lithium

  8. Valproic Acid

  9. Lorazepam

  10. Buspirone