Antidepressants, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI's)

Description

Top 100 drugs.
Andrew Street
Flashcards by Andrew Street, updated more than 1 year ago
Andrew Street
Created by Andrew Street over 7 years ago
21
1

Resource summary

Question Answer
Give eg's of & indications for SSRI's. eg's: citalopram, fluoxetine, sertraline, escitalopram Indications: • Moderate-to-severe depression - 1st line Rx • Mild depression - if psychological Rx has failed • Panic disorder • OCD
MOA of SSRI's. SSRI's preferentially inhibit neuronal reuptake of serotonin (5-HT) from the synaptic cleft, thereby increasing its availability for neurotransmission. This appears to be the mechanism by which SSRI's improve mood & physical symptoms in depression & relieve Sx of panic & obsessive disorders. SSRI's differ from tricyclic antidepressants in that they do not inhibit noradrenaline uptake and cause less blockade of other receptors. The efficacy of the two drug classes in the Rx of depression is similar. However, SSRI's are generally preferred as they have fewer adverse effects & are less dangerous in overdose.
SE's of SSRI's. • GI upset • Appetite & weight disturbance • Hypersensitivity reactions • Hyponatraemia - especially in the elderly leading to confusion & ↓ LOC • ↑ suicidal thoughts & behaviour • Lowered seizure threshold • Prolonged QT interval (citalopram) - can lead to arrhythmias • ↑ risk of bleeding • Serotonin syndrome - in high doses or in combination with other antidepressants classes. Triad of autonomic hyperactivity, altered mental state, neuromuscular excitation. • Sudden withdrawal can cause GI upset, neurological & flu like symptoms & sleep disturbance
CI's, cautions, & important interactions of SSRI's. CI's: • Shouldn't be co-prescribed with monoamine oxidase inhibitors Cautions: • Epilepsy • Peptic ulcer • Young people - poor efficacy & associated with an ↑ risk of self harm & suicidal thoughts • Hepatic impairment - reduce dose Important interactions: SSRI's should not be given with monoamine oxidase inhibitors as they both ^synaptic serotonin levels & together may precipitate serotonin syndrome. Gastroprotection should be prescribed for patients taking SSRI's with aspirin or NSAID's due to ^risk of GI bleeding. Bleeding risk is also^ where SSRI's are co-prescribed with anticoagulants. They should not be combined with other drugs that prolong the QT interval, such as antipsychotics.
Show full summary Hide full summary

Similar

Drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion
Hannah Tribe
Exam 1 Medications
tera_alise
Pharmacology
Justin Veazey
Monoamine pharmacology -Antidepressant drugs - Dr. Emma Robinson
Anna mph
NCLEX REVIEW MODEL
Jamie R Pascual
General Anaesthetics Part 1 - Steve Fitzjohn
Anna mph
Transcription
Has Maj
Cognition and Dementia - Alzheimer's disease.
Anna mph
Organelles
Has Maj
G- Couple Protein Receptors
Has Maj
Module 6 chapter 12.
Alannah Mendoza