Verified 100% Correct
TCAs (tricyclic antidepressants) - ANSWER Amitriptyline (Elavil) is an example.
Clomipramine (Anafranil)
Anticholinergic effects and orthostatic hypotension may occur. LETHAL in OVERDOSE,
weight gain and sexual side effects
TCA contraindication - ANSWER 10% phenyl and suicidal patients; exacerbate
adrenergic effects and can cause HTN crisis
hepatic / renal disease, not for kids, eCT, concurrent use of opiates, benzos, etoh, cold
medicine
NOT in PREGNANCY
Life threatening side effects TCA - ANSWER Lethal in Overdose, not for pts with
current SI, cardiac disease
Choosing/ switching antidepressants : clinical pearls - ANSWER < 1/3 receive
remission with 1st med tried
switching is nml if no resp 4-8 wk after optimal dose
Pt just as likely to respond to another drug in same class
once pt failed 2 drugs in same class consider diff class
Careful with elderly, sexual dysfunction common (wellbutrin added helpful)
Switching pearls - ANSWER sertraline, escitalopram, venlafaxine, mirtazapine,
vortioxetine or bupropion good second agent
transient serotonergic may occur early but not usually safety issue
Discontinuation most common from serotonergic to non serotonergic (venlafaxine or
paroxetine)
Combining pearls - ANSWER >25% improvement on single, augment can further
improve and retain current benefit
watch for serotonin syndrome
trazodone for sleep, wellbutrin weight issue, mirtazapine for appetite increase
augmenting agents most evidence atypicals, lithium, cytomel
Ketamine - ANSWER ability to produce rapid / robust effects in mood/ anxiety resistant
to treatment
short term 2-3 week course 2/3 x a week and taper
, scarcity of safety and long term
3 most common neurotransmitters with anxiety - ANSWER Norepinephrine
serotonin
GABA
first line pharm for panic disorder - ANSWER SSRI paxil (paroxetine) Fluoxetine
(prozac) Sertraline (zoloft) are FDA approved for panic
SSRI > Benzo BUT alprazolam (xanax) & clonazepam (klonopin) also FDA approved
Pharm for Anxiety Pearls - ANSWER -conservative approach = paroxetine, sertraline
citalopram in isolated panic disorder
-rapid control of symptoms = brief alprazolam concurrently with ssri and taper benzo -
long term Fluoxetine (prozac) effective for panic / depression 1st couple of weeks mimic
panic symptoms Klonopin can be taken prn for anticipate panic 0.5-1 mg
Education on Benzos - ANSWER avoid ETOH or other CNS depressant meds avoid
driving/ operating
when used in short periods 1/2 weeks usually have no tolerance/ dependance/
withdrawal
> 12 weeks high rate of dependance
1st line pharm for Agoraphobia - ANSWER SSRI (1st line panic w or w-out
agoraphobia)
benzo rapid onset PRN xanax, ativan
TCA's most effective dosage must be titrated slowly to avoid jitteriness and may not be
achieved for 8-12 wks
Social Anxiety Disorder (1st line therapy) - ANSWER 1. SSRI, 2. Benzo 3. venalfaxine
(effexor) 4. Buspirone (buspar) buspirone shown best to augment
SAD pharm for performance situations - ANSWER Beta blocker (b-adrenergic receptor
antagonist) shortly before Tenormin 50-100 mg 1 hr, or propranolol 20-40 mg or
lorazepam/ alprazolam
GAD 1st line pharm - ANSWER SSRI
FDA approved : Escitalopram (lexapro) *Paroxetine (Paxil)
off label but EBP *citalopram (celexa) Fluoxetine (prozac) *Sertraline (zoloft)
reasonable to begin treatment with SSRI plus benzo and then taper benzo after 2-3
weeks
GAD treatment when not responding to SSRI - ANSWER Consider Venlafaxine
(Effexor) Duloxetine (cymbalta)