Substance Use Disorders
This opioid overdose reversal drug rapidly displaces opioids from receptors.
Narcan/Naloxone
This SSRI is commonly first-line for depression.
Fluoxetine
First-line mood stabilizer with a narrow therapeutic index.
Lithium
This first-generation antipsychotic is high risk for EPS.
Haloperidol
This class is first-line for acute anxiety, but has dependence risk.
Benzodiazepines
This medication causes a severe reaction (flushing, vomiting) when alcohol is consumed.
This class can cause hypertensive crisis when combined with tyramine foods.
MAOIs
This electrolyte imbalance increases lithium toxicity risk.
Hyponatremia
This severe reaction includes fever, rigidity, and altered mental status.
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
This is the reversal agent for benzodiazepine overdose.
Flumazenil
This medication reduces alcohol cravings and requires abstinence before starting.
Naltrexone
This atypical antidepressant lowers seizure threshold and is used for smoking cessation.
Bupropion
This is a classic sign of lithium toxicity.
Tremor (or confusion, GI upset)
This second-generation antipsychotic requires monitoring due to agranulocytosis risk.
Clozapine
This non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic has no abuse potential but takes weeks to work.
Buspirone
This opioid use disorder medication has a “ceiling effect” reducing overdose risk.
Buprenorphine
This life-threatening condition includes hyperthermia, agitation, and clonus.
Serotonin syndrome
This class of drugs is also used in bipolar disorder as mood stabilizers.
Antiepileptics
These symptoms include dystonia, akathisia, and tardive dyskinesia.
Extrapyrimidal symptoms (EPS)
This hypnotic drug class includes zolpidem and is used for insomnia.
BZDRAs (Z-drugs)
This full opioid agonist used in treatment programs requires tight regulation due to overdose risk.
Methadone
This class has strong anticholinergic effects and is dangerous in overdose due to cardiotoxicity.
TCAs
This key patient teaching prevents lithium toxicity during illness.
Maintaining hydration and sodium intake
This major concern with second-generation antipsychotics includes weight gain and diabetes.
Metabolic syndrome
This is the biggest safety concern when combining benzos with opioids.
Respiratory depression