Mood Stabilizers
What is the most commonly used mood stabilizer?
What is Lithium?
What are antipsychotics used to treat?
Schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and mania with psychosis.
Can antidepressants be used for anxiety?
Absolutely! Most often used to treat major depressive disorder and OCD
What is the most common class of antianxiety medication? (not antidepressant meds)
Benzodiazepines - work by relieving the symptoms of anxiety as well as relaxing the muscles and causing mild sedation. Work by influences neurotransmitters in the brain (GABA) that regulate arousal and anxiey.
What is one use for a mood stabilizer medication?
1. Reducing acute (severe) symptoms of mania or depression to a more manaable level.
2. Stabilizing mood swings
3. Preventing symptom relapses and rehospitalizations
How does an antipsychotic work?
It reduces the action of a particular neurotransmitter (a chemical in the brain for communication between nerve cells) called dopamine. Some have effects on both dopamine as well as another neurotransmitter, serotonin (Risperdal, zyprexa, clozaril).
What are the 4 different groups for antidepressant medications?
1. Serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)/Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) - examples Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro, Celexa, Serzone, Effexor, Pristiq, Cymbalta.
2. Tricyclics - examples - Elavil, Norpramin, Anafranil, Tofranil, Vivactil.
3. Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors - examples - Marplan, Nardil.
4. Other compounds - examples - Desyrel, Wellbutrin, Ludiomil, Serzone, Remeron
What is an example of a benzodiazepine that can be used for anxiety?
Valium (diazepam), Centrax (prazepam), Klonopin (clonazepam), Ativan (lorazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), Serax (oxazepam).. last 3 are short acting.
What are common side effects of lithium?
What is nausea, stomach cramps, thirst, fatigue, headache, and mild tremor.
Some side effects are temporary and go away after a period of several weeks or months.
More serious side effects include - vomiting, diarrhea, extreme thirst, muscle twitching, slurred speech, confusion, and dizziness
Can taking an antipsychotic medication help to prevent relapse?
YES! example - 7 out of 10 people (70%) with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who are not on antipsychotic medication relapse over a one-year period, but only 3 out of 10 people (30%) who are taking the medication relapse.
Someone who is taking an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan) or phenelzine (Nardil) must avoid what foods?
Foods that are high in chemical tyramine - such as aged cheeses and aged meats (salami and pepperoni). As well as, beer and certain wines.
Also, an unusual side effect is that one may develop carpal tunnel syndrome, which is due to vitamin B6 deficiency. Early symptoms are numbness and tingling.
What does rebound activity mean, when talking about a benzodiazepine?
Some people, as the benzodiazepine level in their body declines, begin to experience an increase in anxiety called rebound anxiety. In some cases, this anxiety can be quite severe and frightening. So if you notice an increase in anxiety before the next dosage, the physician should be notified. Can be switched to Buspar (buspirone)
Are mood stabilizing medications addictive?
Mood-stabilizing drugs are no addictive. People who take these medications do not develop a tolerance (requiring a higher dose to achieve the same effects) to these drugs. However, stopping these medications increases the person's risk of having a relapse.
What are some side effects of SSRIs and SNRIs?
Nausea, vomiting, excitement, agitation, headache, and sexual problems.
What cab Dalmane (flurazepam), Restoril (temazepam), Halcion (triazolam), Noctec (chloral hydrate), Ambien (zolpidem), Eszopiclone (Lunesta), or Benadryl (diphenhydramine), melatonine all be used for?
The treatment of agitation and to facilitate sleep.
How long must mood stabilizing medications be taken?
When mood stabilizers are used in the treatment of bipolar and schizoaffective disorder, these medications must often be taken throughout much of the person's life.
What are some side effects of antipsychotics?
Drowsiness, muscle stiffness, dry mouth, mild tremors, restlessness, increased appetite, blurred vision, and sexual difficulties.
Not all persons taking medication experience side effects. In many cases, side effects are temporary, especially if they are treated with side-effect medications.
Are antidepressant medications addictive?
No, they are not, but there can be a withdrawal syndrome when individuals stop the medications and it can be uncomfortable. If a decision is made to stop the medication, the medication is usually tapered gradually to minimize the effects of the withdrawal syndrome.
What is buspirone (Buspar)?
This antianxiety medication does not have psychically or psychologically addicting or sedating properties. Buspirone is thought to work by decreasing the amount and actions of a chemical known as serotonin in certain parts of the brain.
Which antipsychotic medication can be used for treatment-refractory symptoms such as hearing voices or severe social withdrawal.
Clozaril (clozapine).
One important side effect of clozapine that may occur in a small % of people is a reduction in the number of white blood cells (called agranulocytes). This is why one must have weekly blood tests for the first 6 months, then if WBC acceptable blood test can be given every 2 weeks and then monthly after first year.
What is the most common side effect of antianxiety and sedative medications?
Sedation and fatigue (expect Buspar). Benzos cause higher sedation and may last more than a day depending on dosing. Also, benzos can affect memory and other cognitive abilities. Benzos CAN be addictive, but the risk is minimized by taking low doses and always staying within the prescribed dosage range. If one is going to stop taking a benzo, the dose should be gradually tapered over a number of weeks to prevent withdrawal symptoms, rebound anxiety, or seizures.