(NUR2474) Pharmacology for Professional Nursing -
(11 Weeks) - Residential and Online - Test #1 -
Review
-
1. Lithium levels, use, side effects
o Lithium is a MOOD STABILIZER
o Levels:
▪ 0.4 to 1 mEq/L.
o Action:
▪ Prevents/decreases incidence of acute manic episodes
- May inhibit MOA = Increase activity of brain
o Use:
▪ Treat Bipolar Disorder
o Side Effects:
▪ Nausea, , Abdominal bloating, Anorexia, Fatigue, and Memory impairment,
Polyuria (frequently urinating), Tremor, Hypothyroidism
o Teratogenic
▪ Def: Can disturb the development of the embryo/fetus and produce malformation
o 1-3 weeks for full effect
2. Benzodiazepines uses, actions, antidote, side effects
o Suffix: -PAM, -LAM o Fast Acting o Short term use o Can cause dependency
o Uses:
▪ Anxiety, Insomnia, and Seizure disorders, Muscle spasms, and Withdrawal
from alcohol
o Actions:
▪ Binds to GABA receptors to enhance the action of GABA
- GABA is a neurotransmitter that slows/calms the speed of brain
activity
o Antidote:
, ▪ Flumazenil
- Administered IV
o Side Effects:
▪ Sedation, Low respiration rate, Low blood pressure, Low heart rate, and
Amnesia
3. Medications for anxiety, sleep and concentration o Anxiety:
▪ Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI’s)
- Suffix: -TINE, -LINE, -PRAM
- 4 weeks for full effect - Works slow - Do not take
with St. Johns Wort - Action:
o Inhibits the reuptake of serotonin back into the
neuron leading to more serotonin floating around in the brain =
Improve mood - Use:
o Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, OCD - Side Effects:
o Weight gain. Insomnia, and Sexual dysfunction
- Drug used: Paroxetine o Dosage:
▪ 20 to 50 mg/day
- Drug used: Venlafaxine (SNRI)
o Dosage:
▪ 37.5 mg once a day o
Routes:
▪ Standard tablets (generic only)
▪ Nonbenzodiazepine-Nonbarbiturates
- Drug used: Buspirone (Atypical)
o 1-2 weeks for full effect –
Works slow
o Short term use
o Does not cause sedation or dependency o Take
with food if GI upset o Side Effects:
▪ Dizziness, Nausea, Headache o
Use:
▪ Anxiety, PTSD, OCD, and Panic
▪ Benzodiazepines
- Suffix: -PAM, -LAM
, - Works immediately - Drug used:
Diazepam - Uses:
o Anxiety, Insomnia, and Seizure disorders, Muscle spasms,
and Withdrawal from alcohol - Actions:
o Binds to GABA receptors to enhance the action of GABA
▪ GABA is a neurotransmitter that slows/calms the speed
of brain activity
- Side Effects:
o Sedation, Low respiration rate, Low blood pressure, Low heart
rate, and Amnesia o Sleep:
▪ Benzodiazepines
- (See Anxiety)
▪ Antidepressants
- Takes 2-4 weeks to take full effect - Risk for
suicide - Medications:
o SSRI’s
▪ Action: Improves mood
▪ Risk: Serotonin Syndrome = Agitation, Hallucinations,
Fever, Tremors, and Sweating
▪ Side Effects: Weight gain. Insomnia, and Sexual
dysfunction
▪ Suffix: -TINE, -LINE, -PRAM o
SNRI’s
▪ Action: Inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and
norepinephrine into the neuron.. leading to more
floating around the brain
▪ Side Effects: Loss of appetite, Insomnia, and Sexual
dysfunction
o TCA’s
▪ Action: Inhibits serotonin reuptake, norepinephrine, and
alpha receptors
▪ Use: Depression, Anxiety, Insomnia, and Fibromyalgia
▪ Side Effects: Orthostatic hypotension, Sedation,
anticholinergic, and Urinary retention
▪ Suffix: -TRYPTLINE, -IPRAMINE
(11 Weeks) - Residential and Online - Test #1 -
Review
-
1. Lithium levels, use, side effects
o Lithium is a MOOD STABILIZER
o Levels:
▪ 0.4 to 1 mEq/L.
o Action:
▪ Prevents/decreases incidence of acute manic episodes
- May inhibit MOA = Increase activity of brain
o Use:
▪ Treat Bipolar Disorder
o Side Effects:
▪ Nausea, , Abdominal bloating, Anorexia, Fatigue, and Memory impairment,
Polyuria (frequently urinating), Tremor, Hypothyroidism
o Teratogenic
▪ Def: Can disturb the development of the embryo/fetus and produce malformation
o 1-3 weeks for full effect
2. Benzodiazepines uses, actions, antidote, side effects
o Suffix: -PAM, -LAM o Fast Acting o Short term use o Can cause dependency
o Uses:
▪ Anxiety, Insomnia, and Seizure disorders, Muscle spasms, and Withdrawal
from alcohol
o Actions:
▪ Binds to GABA receptors to enhance the action of GABA
- GABA is a neurotransmitter that slows/calms the speed of brain
activity
o Antidote:
, ▪ Flumazenil
- Administered IV
o Side Effects:
▪ Sedation, Low respiration rate, Low blood pressure, Low heart rate, and
Amnesia
3. Medications for anxiety, sleep and concentration o Anxiety:
▪ Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI’s)
- Suffix: -TINE, -LINE, -PRAM
- 4 weeks for full effect - Works slow - Do not take
with St. Johns Wort - Action:
o Inhibits the reuptake of serotonin back into the
neuron leading to more serotonin floating around in the brain =
Improve mood - Use:
o Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, OCD - Side Effects:
o Weight gain. Insomnia, and Sexual dysfunction
- Drug used: Paroxetine o Dosage:
▪ 20 to 50 mg/day
- Drug used: Venlafaxine (SNRI)
o Dosage:
▪ 37.5 mg once a day o
Routes:
▪ Standard tablets (generic only)
▪ Nonbenzodiazepine-Nonbarbiturates
- Drug used: Buspirone (Atypical)
o 1-2 weeks for full effect –
Works slow
o Short term use
o Does not cause sedation or dependency o Take
with food if GI upset o Side Effects:
▪ Dizziness, Nausea, Headache o
Use:
▪ Anxiety, PTSD, OCD, and Panic
▪ Benzodiazepines
- Suffix: -PAM, -LAM
, - Works immediately - Drug used:
Diazepam - Uses:
o Anxiety, Insomnia, and Seizure disorders, Muscle spasms,
and Withdrawal from alcohol - Actions:
o Binds to GABA receptors to enhance the action of GABA
▪ GABA is a neurotransmitter that slows/calms the speed
of brain activity
- Side Effects:
o Sedation, Low respiration rate, Low blood pressure, Low heart
rate, and Amnesia o Sleep:
▪ Benzodiazepines
- (See Anxiety)
▪ Antidepressants
- Takes 2-4 weeks to take full effect - Risk for
suicide - Medications:
o SSRI’s
▪ Action: Improves mood
▪ Risk: Serotonin Syndrome = Agitation, Hallucinations,
Fever, Tremors, and Sweating
▪ Side Effects: Weight gain. Insomnia, and Sexual
dysfunction
▪ Suffix: -TINE, -LINE, -PRAM o
SNRI’s
▪ Action: Inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and
norepinephrine into the neuron.. leading to more
floating around the brain
▪ Side Effects: Loss of appetite, Insomnia, and Sexual
dysfunction
o TCA’s
▪ Action: Inhibits serotonin reuptake, norepinephrine, and
alpha receptors
▪ Use: Depression, Anxiety, Insomnia, and Fibromyalgia
▪ Side Effects: Orthostatic hypotension, Sedation,
anticholinergic, and Urinary retention
▪ Suffix: -TRYPTLINE, -IPRAMINE
