Pharmacology – Antidepressants
Questions and Answers
What is the mechanism of action of tricyclic antidepressants?
✓ ~~~ They block the reuptake of both norepinephrine and serotonin
What are the potential side effects of TCA's?
✓ ~~~ Anticholinergic effects (urinary retention, constipation, tachycardia, dry mouth, and
blurred vision), sedation, sexual dysfunction, orthostatic hypotension, hyperpyrexia, and
confusion and hallucinations in the elderly
What happens when a patient has overdosed on TCA's?
✓ ~~~ Arrhythmias with QRS prolongation, cardiotoxicity, coma, and convulsions
What are some common TCA's?
✓ ~~~ amitriptyline (Elavil), desipramine (Norpramin), nortriptyline (Pamelor),
clomipramine, imipramine, and doxepin
What is serotonin syndrome?
✓ ~~~ It is a hypertensive crisis, with delirium, hyperpyrexia, convulsions. It occurs when
multiple drugs that affect serotonin levels are used at the same time: for example MAOI's
combined with SSRI's
What is the mechanism of action of amitriptyline?
✓ ~~~ It is a TCA, so it inhibits reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin
What are the side effects of SSRI's?
✓ ~~~ GI upset, head aches, insomnia, sweating, and sexual dysfunction
Questions and Answers
What is the mechanism of action of tricyclic antidepressants?
✓ ~~~ They block the reuptake of both norepinephrine and serotonin
What are the potential side effects of TCA's?
✓ ~~~ Anticholinergic effects (urinary retention, constipation, tachycardia, dry mouth, and
blurred vision), sedation, sexual dysfunction, orthostatic hypotension, hyperpyrexia, and
confusion and hallucinations in the elderly
What happens when a patient has overdosed on TCA's?
✓ ~~~ Arrhythmias with QRS prolongation, cardiotoxicity, coma, and convulsions
What are some common TCA's?
✓ ~~~ amitriptyline (Elavil), desipramine (Norpramin), nortriptyline (Pamelor),
clomipramine, imipramine, and doxepin
What is serotonin syndrome?
✓ ~~~ It is a hypertensive crisis, with delirium, hyperpyrexia, convulsions. It occurs when
multiple drugs that affect serotonin levels are used at the same time: for example MAOI's
combined with SSRI's
What is the mechanism of action of amitriptyline?
✓ ~~~ It is a TCA, so it inhibits reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin
What are the side effects of SSRI's?
✓ ~~~ GI upset, head aches, insomnia, sweating, and sexual dysfunction
