Central Nervous System Drugs

Central Nervous System Drugs

1. Antidepressants

   • eg. SSRIs, TCAs, RIMs, MAOIs
     • use: depression
       • MOA: ^ levels & activity of serotonin & adrenaline
         • AE: weight gain, sedation, nausea

2. Antipsychotics

   • LIthium
     • use: control manic & depressive states
       • MOA: May reduce noadrenaline activity in synaptic cleft
         • AE: vomitting, diarrhoea, nervousness
   • Benzodiazepines
     • use: anxiety & panic disorders
       • MOA: ^ inhibitory effect of GABA
         • AE: CNS depression

3. Anticonvulsants

   • eg: ethosuximide
     • use: Antiepileptic
       • MOA: stabilizes the nerve membranes
         • AE: GI upset, headache, sedation

4. Narcotic Analgesics

   • eg: morphine
     • MOA: stop release of substance P, supressing pain messages
       • AE: sedation, hypnosis
   • NSAIDs
     • eg: Ibuprofen
       • use: patients with athritic joints
         • MOA: inhibits cyclooxgenase enzymes
           • AE: nausea, vomitting, headache
   • Paracetamol
     • eg: panadol
       • use: mild to moderate pain
         • MOA: acts as an analgesic & antipyretic
           • AE: hepatotoxicity

5. General Anaesthetics

   • nitrous oxide
     • Inhaled
   • propofol
     • IV
   • MOA: alter movement of ions in nerve cells
     • AE: decreased BP, respiratory depression

6. Local Anaesthetics

   • eg: lignocaine
     • MOA: block pain transmission
       • AE: overdose, allergic reactions