1. Pharmtech review: Anxiety Drugs

2. AntiAnxiety Drugs Characterized by worry and apprehension For controlling stress Addictive liability very high Birth (teratogenic) effects if taken during pregnancy!!! Relax muscles, good for sedation but may cause depression Because of easy addiction, should be tapered off in dosing

3. Examples of anti-anxiety meds Valium (diazapam) Xanax (alprazolam) Ativan (lorazepam) Ambiens (zolpidem) Librium (Chlordiazepoxide) Equanil (meprobamate) Serax (oxazepam)

4. Depression Feelings of pessimism, worry, sadness, loss of concentration, slow mental processes, eating and sleeping difficulties

5. Anti-depression meds: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSR’s) Block reuptake of neurotransmitter in brain, serotonin, so it lasts longs and stimulates the brain’s activities, euphoric. Indicated for major depression and OCD Take over a week to start working and Avoid all ethanol

6. Examples of SSR’s Celexa (citalopram) Cymbalta (duloxetine) Lexapro (escitalopram) Prozac (fluoxetine) Paxil (paroxetine) Zoloft (sertraline) Effexor (venlafaxine) Prozac (fluoxetine)

7. Trycyclic antidepressants (TCA’s) Block reuptake of epinephrine and/or serotonin For depression Cardiotoxic Lightheadedness Takes weeks to see effects

8. Examples of TCA’s Elavil (amitriptyline) Sinequan (doxepin) Tofranil (imipramine)

9. Bipolar Medications Alternating periods of manic and depressive symptoms A depressive psychosis

10. Bipolar Meds Abdominal aches and bloating Bloody stools Teratogenic! Lithium in this group; must take blood tests to determine actual blood level of lithium Lithium interacts with many other medications

11. Bipolar Meds Tegretol (carbamazepine) Depakote (divalproex)

12. Anti-psychotic Meds Pts. retreat from reality Delusional Hallucinations Side effects include: sedation, sun tanning spots, bone marrow depression, tremors. Taper off drug, takes weeks to be effective

13. Examples of antipsychotics Abilify (Aripiprazole) Haldol (haloperidol) Compazine (prochlorperazine) Seroquel (quetiapine) Risperadal (risperidone)

14. Drugs for Insomnia Difficulty falling or staying asleep Side effects; depression of CNS, dizziness Addictive liability

15. Examples of meds for insomnia Xanax (alprazolam) Librium (chlordiazepoxide) Valium (diazepam) Lunesta (eszopiclone) Ativan (lorazepam) Ambien (zolpidem)

16. Drugs for convulsions/epilepsy Recurring periodic seizures Disturbances of CNS electrical activity Gran mal, petit mal, myoclonic, tetanic Block synapses from firing Side effects; sedation, loss of cognition

17. Examples of anticonvulsants Tegretol (carbamazepine) Klonopin (Clonazepam) Valium (diazepam) Depakote (divalproex) Neurontin (gabapentin) Lyrica (pregabalin)