NR 547 Final Exam Questions and Answers
1. Medications for depression:
SSRIs SNRIs
SDRIs
TCAs
MAOIs
2. SSRIs: -Action: inhibit 5-HT reuptake
-Examples: citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline
-Adverse effects:
• nausea
• agitation
• diarrhea
• headache
• weight gain
• sexual side effects
3. SNRIs: -inhibit 5-HT reuptake
-inhibit NE reuptake (‘energy, focus)
-increase DA in prefrontal cortex (‘cognition)
-Examples: desvenlafaxine, duloxetine, levomilnacipran, venlafaxine
-Adverse effects:
,• elevated blood pressure
• nausea
• sweating
• tremors
• anxiety
• insomnia
• constipation
• anorexia
• sexual dysfunction
4. SDRIs: -inhibit DA reuptake (‘alertness, motivation)
-inhibit NE reuptake (‘energy)
-Adverse effects:
• agitation
• headache
• dry mouth
• constipation
• weight loss
5. TCAs: -Action: inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine; blocks norepinephrine,
histamine, and acetylcholine receptors
-Examples: amitriptyline, clomipramine, desipramine, doxepin
-Common Side Effects:
,• dry mouth
• constipation
• blurred vision
• urinary retention
• sedation
• weight gain
• hypotension
• tachycardia
• sexual dysfunction
6. MAOIs: -Action: increases norepinephrine and serotonin by inhibiting the enzyme that inactivates
it
-Examples: isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine
-Common Side Effects:
• sedation
• dizziness
• sexual dysfunction
• hypertensive crisis
7. Prescribing pearls: citalopram (Celexa): mild antihistamine effects
8. Prescribing pearls: escitalopram (Lexapro): no known drug interactions
, 9. Prescribing pearls: fluoxetine (Prozac): longest half-life
10. Prescribing pearls: paroxetine (Paxil): also treats social anxiety and insomnia
11. Prescribing pearls: fluvoxamine (Luvox): treats anxious depression smokers
require increased dose
12. Prescribing pearls: sertraline (Zoloft): also treats social anxiety and
hypersomnolence
13. Prescribing pearls: bupropion (Wellbutrin): NDRI may improve energy,
alertness, and moti- vation; not first line treatment for anxiety; contraindicated in clients with a history of
seizures
14. Prescribing pearls: duloxetine (Cymbalta): effective for atypical pain at
higher doses; appro- priate for clients who present with somatic symptoms of depression; effective
for atypical pain, such as fibromyalgia and diabetic neuropathy
15. Prescribing pearls: venlafaxine (Effexor): treats both depression and anxiety
disorders, ensure trial of higher dose before switching to a different medication
16. Prescribing pearls: desvenlafaxine (Pristiq): effective for perimenopausal
vasomotor symp- toms
1. Medications for depression:
SSRIs SNRIs
SDRIs
TCAs
MAOIs
2. SSRIs: -Action: inhibit 5-HT reuptake
-Examples: citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline
-Adverse effects:
• nausea
• agitation
• diarrhea
• headache
• weight gain
• sexual side effects
3. SNRIs: -inhibit 5-HT reuptake
-inhibit NE reuptake (‘energy, focus)
-increase DA in prefrontal cortex (‘cognition)
-Examples: desvenlafaxine, duloxetine, levomilnacipran, venlafaxine
-Adverse effects:
,• elevated blood pressure
• nausea
• sweating
• tremors
• anxiety
• insomnia
• constipation
• anorexia
• sexual dysfunction
4. SDRIs: -inhibit DA reuptake (‘alertness, motivation)
-inhibit NE reuptake (‘energy)
-Adverse effects:
• agitation
• headache
• dry mouth
• constipation
• weight loss
5. TCAs: -Action: inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine; blocks norepinephrine,
histamine, and acetylcholine receptors
-Examples: amitriptyline, clomipramine, desipramine, doxepin
-Common Side Effects:
,• dry mouth
• constipation
• blurred vision
• urinary retention
• sedation
• weight gain
• hypotension
• tachycardia
• sexual dysfunction
6. MAOIs: -Action: increases norepinephrine and serotonin by inhibiting the enzyme that inactivates
it
-Examples: isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine
-Common Side Effects:
• sedation
• dizziness
• sexual dysfunction
• hypertensive crisis
7. Prescribing pearls: citalopram (Celexa): mild antihistamine effects
8. Prescribing pearls: escitalopram (Lexapro): no known drug interactions
, 9. Prescribing pearls: fluoxetine (Prozac): longest half-life
10. Prescribing pearls: paroxetine (Paxil): also treats social anxiety and insomnia
11. Prescribing pearls: fluvoxamine (Luvox): treats anxious depression smokers
require increased dose
12. Prescribing pearls: sertraline (Zoloft): also treats social anxiety and
hypersomnolence
13. Prescribing pearls: bupropion (Wellbutrin): NDRI may improve energy,
alertness, and moti- vation; not first line treatment for anxiety; contraindicated in clients with a history of
seizures
14. Prescribing pearls: duloxetine (Cymbalta): effective for atypical pain at
higher doses; appro- priate for clients who present with somatic symptoms of depression; effective
for atypical pain, such as fibromyalgia and diabetic neuropathy
15. Prescribing pearls: venlafaxine (Effexor): treats both depression and anxiety
disorders, ensure trial of higher dose before switching to a different medication
16. Prescribing pearls: desvenlafaxine (Pristiq): effective for perimenopausal
vasomotor symp- toms
