Medication Classes
This class of medication increases serotonin levels and is first-line for anxiety and depression.
What are SSRIs?
SSRI's take this long to be effectice.
What is 2-6 weeks?
This classic mood stabilier requires blood level monitoring and affects the kidneys and thyroid
What is Lithium (Eskalith, lithobid)?
This antihistamine is commonly used as a PRN for anxiety.
What is hydroxyzine (Atarax, Vistaril)?
This life-threatening reaction can occur when combining serotonergic drugs, and is characterized by hyperreflexia, agitation, diaphoresis, and hyperthermia.
What is serotonin syndrome?
Usually occurs within hours to 24 hours of dose increase or drug interactions
Cymbalta and Effexor fall in this class of medication.
What are SNRI's?
The most common side effects of SSRI's and SNRI's.
What is GI upset / Insomnia / Sexual Dysfunction?
Also common: dry mouth, headache, increased sweating
Depakote is the brand name for this medication.
Valproic Acid
This medication is often used for sleep and depression at low doses.
What is Trazodone (Desyrel)?
This severe drug reaction typically occurs within days to 3 weeks of starting a new medication and presents with painful rash, skin blistering, and mucosal involvement of the eyes and mouth.
What is Stevens-Johnson Syndrome?
This class of medication is often used short term, related to concern for dependency, and results in acute relief of anxiety.
What are Benzodiazepines?
Effexor is the brand name for this SNRI.
What is Venlafaxine?
This mood stabilizer requires slow titration due to risk of a serious rash.
What is lamotrigine (Lamictal)?
This beta-blocker is commonly used for performance anxiety.
What is Propranolol (Inderal)?
This toxicity from a mood stabilizer presents with tremor, ataxia, confusion, GI distress, and can progress to seizures, often worsened by dehydration or renal impairment.
What is Lithium Toxicity?
This class of medication is also used to treat Parkinson's disease.
This serious blood disorder can occur with carbamazepine (Tegretol).
What is agranulocytosis?
(severe, acute condition characterized by critically low WBC, specifically neutrophils)
0.6-1.2 mEq/L
This antipsychotic is often used off-label for anxiety and sleep.
What is Quetiapine (Seroquel)?
These foods—aged cheeses (like cheddar and blue), fermented or smoked meats and fish, soy products (such as soy sauce and miso), red wine, tap beer, and kimchi—must be avoided when taking MAOIs because they can trigger a dangerous, potentially fatal spike in blood pressure.
What is high - tyramine foods?
Amitriptyline, imipramine, and nortriptyline are from this class of medication.
What are Tricyclic Antidepressants?
This non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic is commonly used for generalized anxiety disorder and has no abuse potential.
What is Buspirone (BuSpar)?
This medication is used to treat epilepsy and prevent migraines, however off label use helps stabilize mood, manage impulse control, and reduce addictions.
Topiramate (Topamax)
This key risk side effect must be monitored when giving PRN benzodiazepines, especially in combination with opioids or other sedatives.
What is respiratory depression?
This delayed hypersensitivity reaction occurs 2–8 weeks after medication initiation and is marked by fever, diffuse rash, eosinophilia, lymphadenopathy, and internal organ involvement.
What is DRESS (Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms) Syndrome?
Anticonvulsants / mood stabilizers (lamotrigine, carbamazepine), and antipsychotics (clozapine, olanzapine, risperdal) can trigger this