QMHP Exam - Basic Psychiatric Meds
Combining antidepressants with medications or supplements that also act on the
serotonin system can do what? - ✔️✔️Cause a life-threatening illness called serotonin
syndrome
What are examples of medications and supplements that can cause serotonin
syndrome? - ✔️✔️Triptan medications (often used to treat headaches) and St. John's
Wort (a dietary supplement).
What are symptoms of serotonin syndrome? - ✔️✔️Agitation, muscle twitches,
hallucinations, high temperature, and unusual blood pressure changes.
What should be noted for individuals under the age of 25 who are taking
antidepressants? - ✔️✔️They may experience an increase in suicidal thoughts or
behavior, especially in the first few weeks after starting the medication OR when the
dose is changed.
Which symptoms of antidepressants sometimes improve before mood lifts? -
✔️✔️Problems with: sleep, appetite, energy, or concentration.
What are some of the side effects of SSRIs and other antidepressants? (Bonus:
additional information about side effects) - ✔️✔️Upset stomach, headache, sexual
dysfunction. Bonus: side effects are generally mild and tend to improve over time.
What can be done for individuals who are sensitive to the side effects of antidepressant
medications? - ✔️✔️Start with a low dose, increasing the daily dose very slowly and/or
adjusting when they take the medication (ex: at night with food).
What is a newer FDA-approved medication for treatment-resistant depression? -
✔️✔️Esketamine
When is treatment-resistant depression diagnosed/Esketamine prescribed? -
✔️✔️When a person's symptoms have not improved after trying at least two
antidepressant therapies.
How is Esketamine administered? - ✔️✔️As a nasal spray in a health care provider's
office, a clinic, or a hospital.
How does Esketamine work? - ✔️✔️Rapidly, (typically) within a few hours, to relieve
depression symptoms.
Combining antidepressants with medications or supplements that also act on the
serotonin system can do what? - ✔️✔️Cause a life-threatening illness called serotonin
syndrome
What are examples of medications and supplements that can cause serotonin
syndrome? - ✔️✔️Triptan medications (often used to treat headaches) and St. John's
Wort (a dietary supplement).
What are symptoms of serotonin syndrome? - ✔️✔️Agitation, muscle twitches,
hallucinations, high temperature, and unusual blood pressure changes.
What should be noted for individuals under the age of 25 who are taking
antidepressants? - ✔️✔️They may experience an increase in suicidal thoughts or
behavior, especially in the first few weeks after starting the medication OR when the
dose is changed.
Which symptoms of antidepressants sometimes improve before mood lifts? -
✔️✔️Problems with: sleep, appetite, energy, or concentration.
What are some of the side effects of SSRIs and other antidepressants? (Bonus:
additional information about side effects) - ✔️✔️Upset stomach, headache, sexual
dysfunction. Bonus: side effects are generally mild and tend to improve over time.
What can be done for individuals who are sensitive to the side effects of antidepressant
medications? - ✔️✔️Start with a low dose, increasing the daily dose very slowly and/or
adjusting when they take the medication (ex: at night with food).
What is a newer FDA-approved medication for treatment-resistant depression? -
✔️✔️Esketamine
When is treatment-resistant depression diagnosed/Esketamine prescribed? -
✔️✔️When a person's symptoms have not improved after trying at least two
antidepressant therapies.
How is Esketamine administered? - ✔️✔️As a nasal spray in a health care provider's
office, a clinic, or a hospital.
How does Esketamine work? - ✔️✔️Rapidly, (typically) within a few hours, to relieve
depression symptoms.
