Running head: INTRODUCTION AND LITERATURE REVIEW 1
SOUTH UNIVERSITY NSG 8105 WEEK 10 ASSIGNMENT
Importance of Training in Reducing Effects of Psychotropic Drugs
Anita Whitfield
South University
,INTRODUCTION AND LITERATURE REVIEW 2
Importance of Training in Reducing Effects of Psychotropic Drugs
Introduction
Writing a prescription to treat a mental health disorder is easy, but it may not always be
the most effective or safest route for the patients. According to Barczyk, Rucklidge, Eggleston,
and Mulder (2020), there have been concerns raised against the prescription of psychotropic
drugs on the elderly. Today, patients often receive psychotropic medication without necessarily
receiving an adequate evaluation of pros and cons of this administration by a health professional.
A significant number of mental health professionals administer psychotropic medication without
adequately evaluating the patient to determine the effectiveness of these drugs; this often leads to
complications. Many elderly people visit their primary-care physicians, and many are given a
prescription of some antidepressant or other related drugs without going through other evidence-
based treatment approaches. Some cognitive behavioral therapy that might work effectively for
the patient as compared to using psychotropic medication (Gulla, Selbaek, Flo, Kjome,
Kirkevold, & Husebo, 2016). The prescription of psychotropic drugs leads to several
complications among the elderly between the 65-95-year-old. The purpose of this scholarly
article is to evaluate the importance of education regarding appropriate alternatives and
prescribing practices for psychotropic medications in reducing complications among the elderly
population between 65 and 95 years.
Background
The use of psychotropic drugs has been increasing for the past two decades. According to
Olajide, Mansfield, Olubankole and Udoka (2016), psychotropic drugs increased by 22%
between 2010 and 2019. Despite its increased use, the drug has significant side effects if not
, INTRODUCTION AND LITERATURE REVIEW 3
correctly prescribed. Psychotropic drugs do alter the function in the brain. An example is SSRI.
It is a widely prescribed antidepressant that increases the amount of serotonin, a
neurotransmitter.
As pointed out by Gulla, Selbaek, Flo, Kjome, Kirkevold, and Husebo (2016), depression occurs
when the formation of new brain cells is repressed by stress, and increasing serotonin levels with
SSRI helps new brain cells to be produced again, changing "depressed state" to "antidepressed
state.” Medications that fall into the anti-psychotic class affect dopamine levels and serotonin
within the brain's synaptic cleft. Some are more specific for D2 than D1, have fewer 'down-
cascade' neurotransmitter effects or catecholamine release and differing half-lives, etc. The side
effects for the class, in general, are nausea, vomiting, dizziness, GI upset, increased risk of
bleeds, depression, hypomania, psychosis, tachycardia, cardiac arrest, etc. Therefore, these are
the potential side effects of taking these medications.
Physiological systems in the body tend to seek homeostasis or a balance. When a drug
such an anxiolytic (anti-anxiety medication) is taken, which reduces arousal level over time, the
body seeks to return to the original arousal level. So, if someone takes such medication for some
time and then stops suddenly, the effect is one of a rebound where the arousal level returns not
to the original level but a higher level. This can lead to panic attacks and other symptoms of
raised anxiety, especially in someone sensitive to their internal body state (a common feature of
some anxiety disorders) (Barczyk, Rucklidge, Eggleston, & Mulder, 2020). The effect is most
pronounced for short-acting (short half-life) anxiolytics such as Ativan, as the time it takes for
level in the blood to lower is much shorter. The solution is reducing such medication very
slowly when coming off the medication, and if possible, never uses a short half-life drug such as
Ativan.
SOUTH UNIVERSITY NSG 8105 WEEK 10 ASSIGNMENT
Importance of Training in Reducing Effects of Psychotropic Drugs
Anita Whitfield
South University
,INTRODUCTION AND LITERATURE REVIEW 2
Importance of Training in Reducing Effects of Psychotropic Drugs
Introduction
Writing a prescription to treat a mental health disorder is easy, but it may not always be
the most effective or safest route for the patients. According to Barczyk, Rucklidge, Eggleston,
and Mulder (2020), there have been concerns raised against the prescription of psychotropic
drugs on the elderly. Today, patients often receive psychotropic medication without necessarily
receiving an adequate evaluation of pros and cons of this administration by a health professional.
A significant number of mental health professionals administer psychotropic medication without
adequately evaluating the patient to determine the effectiveness of these drugs; this often leads to
complications. Many elderly people visit their primary-care physicians, and many are given a
prescription of some antidepressant or other related drugs without going through other evidence-
based treatment approaches. Some cognitive behavioral therapy that might work effectively for
the patient as compared to using psychotropic medication (Gulla, Selbaek, Flo, Kjome,
Kirkevold, & Husebo, 2016). The prescription of psychotropic drugs leads to several
complications among the elderly between the 65-95-year-old. The purpose of this scholarly
article is to evaluate the importance of education regarding appropriate alternatives and
prescribing practices for psychotropic medications in reducing complications among the elderly
population between 65 and 95 years.
Background
The use of psychotropic drugs has been increasing for the past two decades. According to
Olajide, Mansfield, Olubankole and Udoka (2016), psychotropic drugs increased by 22%
between 2010 and 2019. Despite its increased use, the drug has significant side effects if not
, INTRODUCTION AND LITERATURE REVIEW 3
correctly prescribed. Psychotropic drugs do alter the function in the brain. An example is SSRI.
It is a widely prescribed antidepressant that increases the amount of serotonin, a
neurotransmitter.
As pointed out by Gulla, Selbaek, Flo, Kjome, Kirkevold, and Husebo (2016), depression occurs
when the formation of new brain cells is repressed by stress, and increasing serotonin levels with
SSRI helps new brain cells to be produced again, changing "depressed state" to "antidepressed
state.” Medications that fall into the anti-psychotic class affect dopamine levels and serotonin
within the brain's synaptic cleft. Some are more specific for D2 than D1, have fewer 'down-
cascade' neurotransmitter effects or catecholamine release and differing half-lives, etc. The side
effects for the class, in general, are nausea, vomiting, dizziness, GI upset, increased risk of
bleeds, depression, hypomania, psychosis, tachycardia, cardiac arrest, etc. Therefore, these are
the potential side effects of taking these medications.
Physiological systems in the body tend to seek homeostasis or a balance. When a drug
such an anxiolytic (anti-anxiety medication) is taken, which reduces arousal level over time, the
body seeks to return to the original arousal level. So, if someone takes such medication for some
time and then stops suddenly, the effect is one of a rebound where the arousal level returns not
to the original level but a higher level. This can lead to panic attacks and other symptoms of
raised anxiety, especially in someone sensitive to their internal body state (a common feature of
some anxiety disorders) (Barczyk, Rucklidge, Eggleston, & Mulder, 2020). The effect is most
pronounced for short-acting (short half-life) anxiolytics such as Ativan, as the time it takes for
level in the blood to lower is much shorter. The solution is reducing such medication very
slowly when coming off the medication, and if possible, never uses a short half-life drug such as
Ativan.
