NUR 256 PSYCH 2026
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND
INTERVENTIONS LEARNING OUTLINE
◉Pharmacogenetics. Answer: different genetics can lead to different
responses to meds
-Carbamazepine (tegetol) asian decent, steven johnson's syndrome
◉•Promote GABA
•Risk for abuse and dependence
•Inhibit Neurons = useful as anticonvulsant
•Alone - Rarely inhibit the brain to respiratory depression
•Combined w/other CNS depressants (alcohol, TCAs, opiates) can
lead to life-threatening CNS depression
•Interfere with motor ability, attention, judgement. Answer:
Benzodiazepines
◉•Reduces anxiety w/o strong sedative effect
•No risk for addiction or dependence
•Scheduled not PRN
, •Not a CNS depressant. Answer: buspirone
◉•Old Tricyclic antidepressant
•Insomnia - difficulty maintaining sleep
•Pt with urinary retention or on MAOI should avoid
•Avoid other CNS depressants and sedating meds like
antihistamines. Answer: Doxepin (silenor)
◉•Blocks orexin - suppresses wakefulness
•Precautions: Daytime sleepiness, abnormal thinking and behavior
changes, worsening depression and S/I, Sleep paralysis. Answer:
Suvorexant (belsomra)
◉•Blocks the reuptake of Serotonin making more available
•1st line tx, less anticholinergic and sedating SE than tricyclic
antidepressants (previous 1st line)
•Antianxiety effects
•Good efficacy lower SE profile
•SE - low libido, GI upset, nausea, vomiting (90% of serotonin in
gut). Answer: Antidepressants Selective Serotonin Reuptake
Inhibitors (SSRIs)
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND
INTERVENTIONS LEARNING OUTLINE
◉Pharmacogenetics. Answer: different genetics can lead to different
responses to meds
-Carbamazepine (tegetol) asian decent, steven johnson's syndrome
◉•Promote GABA
•Risk for abuse and dependence
•Inhibit Neurons = useful as anticonvulsant
•Alone - Rarely inhibit the brain to respiratory depression
•Combined w/other CNS depressants (alcohol, TCAs, opiates) can
lead to life-threatening CNS depression
•Interfere with motor ability, attention, judgement. Answer:
Benzodiazepines
◉•Reduces anxiety w/o strong sedative effect
•No risk for addiction or dependence
•Scheduled not PRN
, •Not a CNS depressant. Answer: buspirone
◉•Old Tricyclic antidepressant
•Insomnia - difficulty maintaining sleep
•Pt with urinary retention or on MAOI should avoid
•Avoid other CNS depressants and sedating meds like
antihistamines. Answer: Doxepin (silenor)
◉•Blocks orexin - suppresses wakefulness
•Precautions: Daytime sleepiness, abnormal thinking and behavior
changes, worsening depression and S/I, Sleep paralysis. Answer:
Suvorexant (belsomra)
◉•Blocks the reuptake of Serotonin making more available
•1st line tx, less anticholinergic and sedating SE than tricyclic
antidepressants (previous 1st line)
•Antianxiety effects
•Good efficacy lower SE profile
•SE - low libido, GI upset, nausea, vomiting (90% of serotonin in
gut). Answer: Antidepressants Selective Serotonin Reuptake
Inhibitors (SSRIs)
