Chapter 29 Central Nervous System Stimulants Used to Treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Agents Used to Treat Alzheimer’s Disease
Copyright 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved Analeptics and Anorexiants Analeptics Common central nervous system stimulant Caffeine Anorexiants Contain amphetamines Depress the appetite
Copyright 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved Anorectic Agents Some used to treat: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Narcolepsy
Copyright 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved Central Nervous System Stimulants Cause CNS and cardiovascular stimulation Restlessness Sleeplessness Anxiety Palpitations Tachycardia Arrhythmias Hypertension (continues)
Copyright 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved Central Nervous System Stimulants Prolonged use produces psychological dependence and tolerance (continued)
Copyright 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved ADHD Treatments Methylphenidate HCl (Ritalin) Pemoline (Cylert) Both amphetamine derivatives Produce a paradoxical effect Calming effect Improved attention span Adverse effects GI distress, insomnia, headache, and depression Growth suppression
Copyright 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved Atomoxetine HCl (Strattera) Not a CNS stimulant Increases availability of norepinephrine Improves the thought process Increases the attention span
Copyright 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved Treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease Alzheimer’s disease seriously affects memory Acetylcholine is notably absent Examples of drug agents Stops the action of cholinesterase inhibitor Donepezil HCl (Aricept) Rivastigmine tartrate (Exelon) (continues)
Copyright 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved Treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease Improves the availability of acetylcholine Improves memory Adverse/side effects Mild GI symptoms Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea Agitation during initial few weeks (continued)
Copyright 2007 Thomson Delmar Learning, a division of Thomson Learning Inc. All rights reserved Nursing Implications Monitor for therapeutic effects. Evaluate for effectiveness.