Misc Healthcare Topics
Ns: Antidepressant Drugs
Compiled By Masterpiecesolutions
Edition: 2025/26
, Medical & Nursing | Misc Healthcare Topics I of IV pages
1. Which are the antidepressants of choice?
SSRIs are better tolerated and are safer in overdose than other classes of antidepressants and should be
2. What antidepressant can be used in patients with unstable angina or recent MI?
Sertraline
3. Tricyclic antidepressants have similar efficacy to SSRIs but more what?
side effects, more likely for treatment to be discontinued due to side effects than SSRIs
4. What benefits do SSRIs have over TCAs?
Tricyclic antidepressants have similar efficacy to SSRIs but are more likely to be discontinued because of
toxicity in overdosage is also a problem. SSRIs are less sedating and have fewer antimuscarinic and
5. Why should MAOIs be reserved for use by specialists?
MAOIs have dangerous interactions with some foods and drugs, and should be reserved for use by specialists.
6. How frequently should patients be reviewed at the start of antidepressant treatment?
1-2 weeks.
7. Treatment should be continued for at least how long with antidepressants before considering whether to
4 weeks (6 weeks in the elderly)
8. In cases of a partial response to antidepressant treatment, how long should treatment be continued for before
a further 2-4 weeks (elderly patients may take longer to reply)
9. Following remission, antidepressant treatment should be continued at the same dose for at least how long?
6 months (about 12 months in the elderly), or at least 12 months in patients receiving treatment for generalised
10. Following remission, how long should patients with a history of recurrent depression receive maintenance
At least 2 years.
11. Hyponatraemia (usually in the elderly and possibly due to inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone)
SSRIs. Hyponatraemia should be considered in all patients who develop drowsiness, confusion, or convulsions
12. What are the symptoms of hyponatraemia? (3)
DrowsinessConfusion Convulsions
13. Severe serotonin syndrome toxicity is a medical emergency which usually occurs with a combination of
An MAOI.
14. The characteristic symptoms of serotonin syndrome fall into 3 main areas. What are these?
Neuromuscular hyperactivity: tremor, hyperreflexia, clonus, myoclonus, rigidity.
Autonomic dysfunction: tachycardia, blood pressure changes, hyperthermia, diaphoresis, shivering, diarrhoea.
Altered mental state: agitation, confusion, mania.
15. Failure to respond to initial treatment with an SSRI can be treated how? (3)
Increase the doseSwitch to a different SSRISwitch to mirtazapine.
Misc Healthcare Topics 2025/26 Edition
Ns: Antidepressant Drugs
Compiled By Masterpiecesolutions
Edition: 2025/26
, Medical & Nursing | Misc Healthcare Topics I of IV pages
1. Which are the antidepressants of choice?
SSRIs are better tolerated and are safer in overdose than other classes of antidepressants and should be
2. What antidepressant can be used in patients with unstable angina or recent MI?
Sertraline
3. Tricyclic antidepressants have similar efficacy to SSRIs but more what?
side effects, more likely for treatment to be discontinued due to side effects than SSRIs
4. What benefits do SSRIs have over TCAs?
Tricyclic antidepressants have similar efficacy to SSRIs but are more likely to be discontinued because of
toxicity in overdosage is also a problem. SSRIs are less sedating and have fewer antimuscarinic and
5. Why should MAOIs be reserved for use by specialists?
MAOIs have dangerous interactions with some foods and drugs, and should be reserved for use by specialists.
6. How frequently should patients be reviewed at the start of antidepressant treatment?
1-2 weeks.
7. Treatment should be continued for at least how long with antidepressants before considering whether to
4 weeks (6 weeks in the elderly)
8. In cases of a partial response to antidepressant treatment, how long should treatment be continued for before
a further 2-4 weeks (elderly patients may take longer to reply)
9. Following remission, antidepressant treatment should be continued at the same dose for at least how long?
6 months (about 12 months in the elderly), or at least 12 months in patients receiving treatment for generalised
10. Following remission, how long should patients with a history of recurrent depression receive maintenance
At least 2 years.
11. Hyponatraemia (usually in the elderly and possibly due to inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone)
SSRIs. Hyponatraemia should be considered in all patients who develop drowsiness, confusion, or convulsions
12. What are the symptoms of hyponatraemia? (3)
DrowsinessConfusion Convulsions
13. Severe serotonin syndrome toxicity is a medical emergency which usually occurs with a combination of
An MAOI.
14. The characteristic symptoms of serotonin syndrome fall into 3 main areas. What are these?
Neuromuscular hyperactivity: tremor, hyperreflexia, clonus, myoclonus, rigidity.
Autonomic dysfunction: tachycardia, blood pressure changes, hyperthermia, diaphoresis, shivering, diarrhoea.
Altered mental state: agitation, confusion, mania.
15. Failure to respond to initial treatment with an SSRI can be treated how? (3)
Increase the doseSwitch to a different SSRISwitch to mirtazapine.
Misc Healthcare Topics 2025/26 Edition
