Antiparkinsonian Agents Ch 14

Parkinson’s Disease Progressive, y.o. d/t imbalance between dopamine & acetylcholine Symptoms: Slowed movement Rigidity = cogwheel Tremors – includes pillrolling Postural instability

Drug Effects Increases body’s supply of Dopamine Interferes with Acetylcholine levels Restores balance & stops symptoms

Medications MAO Inhibitors Eldepryl = Selegiline Slows the breakdown of Dopamine Used with Levodopa Exogenous Dopamine Levodopa Levodopa-carbidopa Replaces low levels of dopamine

Meds, cont’d Amantadine Causes release of more dopamine Also keeps dopamine available Anticholinergics Block acetylcholine

Side Effects Dry mouth Palpitations Agitation/anxiety Severe Hypertension if taking MAOI & eat cheese, red wine, beer, yogurt

Psychotherapeutic Agents Ch 15

Mental Illness 3 types Affective = mood disorders Psychoses = severe emotional disorder Anxiety = sense of dread or fear

Anxiolytics Benzodiazepines Valium = diazepam Ativan = lorazepam Antihistamines Hydroxyzine = vistaril & atarax

Anxiolytics, cont’d Side Effects Drowsiness, blurred vision GI upset

Antimanic Treat manic-depressive disorder = bipolar Lithium Valproic acid = depakene

Antimanics, cont’d Mechanism of action is unclear Increase amount of MAO transmitters more dopamine & serotonin

Antidpresssants Prozac Paxil Zoloft Desyrel Alter use of serotonin in body

Antidepressants, cont’d Side Effects Weight loss Sweating Sexual dysfunction

Antipsychotic Agents Treat Psychoses Schizophrenia Autism

Antipsychotics, cont’d Phenothiazines Largest group of antipsychotics Chlorpromazine (Thorazine) was the 1 st discovered Similar to antihistamines Block reception of Dopamine Do not cure, only control symptoms

Antipsychotics, cont’d Side Effects Postural hypotension Sedation Blurred vision Parkinson-like symptoms

Precautions Do NOT take MAOI meds with alcohol, yeast, yogurt products Do NOT abruptly stop antidepressents – must wean off When starting, It may take up to 2 – 4 weeks to reach therapeutic level Caffeine limits effectiveness of meds

Central Nervous System Stimulants Ch 16

Effect Work on specific areas of brain Suppress appetite Treat ADD & ADHD Treat narcolepsy Treat migraine headache

amphetamines Treat narcolepsy & ADD Increase mental alertness Decrease fatigue Highly addictive

amphetamines, cont’d Examples Adderall Ritalin

analeptics Stimulate respiration High abuse potential Examples Caffeine Aminophylline Theophylline

anorexiants Suppress appetite Treat obesity Examples Didrex Tenuate

Serotonin agonists Treat migraines headaches Constrict brain blood vessels Decrease inflammatory response Example Imitrex Zomig

Side Effects Insomnia Palpitations Nervousness Increased metabolism N-V-D, dry mouth Diuresis