Psych pharm cheat sheet

1. Valproate-
Initial tx for severe mania- is lithium + antipsychotic
If Lithium cannot be used (due to chronic kidney disease)  can use Valproate

CI
Hepatic failure
Congenital malformations-Pregnancy
Pancreatitis

Pharmacology indications Side effects Contraindications

Valproate Increased Mood CNS, HA, Hepatic failure
Availability of stabilizer drownsiness, Congenital
GABA -acute dizziness, malformations-
mania insomnia, pain Pregnancy
Derm: alopecia Pancreatitis
GI: nausea,
vomiting,
abdominal pain,
diarrhea,
dyspepsia
Heme:
thrombocytopenia
Infection
Tremor
Diploplia
Preg: Cat D

2. Lamotrigine
-antiepileptic drug- can be used in bipolor 1 and 2 BUT NOT IN ACUTE MANIA-CANNOT BE
USED IN INPATIENT HOSPTIALIZATION, USE LITHIUM, CARBAMAZEPINE, ETC INSTEAD
OLANZAPINE- 2ND LINE IN ACUTE MANIC EPISODES
3. Amantadine is a nonanticholinergic antiparkinsonian medication that may be used to
treat parkinsonian extrapyramidal side effects caused by antipsychotic medications.
Anticholinergic medications, such as benztropine, are also used but present an increased
risk in patients with glaucoma or cognitive impairment.

Benztropine (cogentan) is chlorogenic -CANNOT BE USED IN PATIENTS WITH

GLAUCOMA OR COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT

USE AMANTADINE IF GLAUCOMA OR COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT**

4. Which two conditions does bupropion have Food and Drug Administration approval to treat?

Major depressive disorder and smoking cessation.

CANNOT BE GIVEN IN PATIENTS WITH EATING DISORDERS

5. Which SSRI causes least sexual dysfunction?

Certain antidepressants, such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) and mirtazapine (Remeron), are less likely to
cause sexual problems. Bupropion, which affects both norepinephrine and dopamine, can sometimes
improve sexual response

6. Amitriptyline (A) is a tricyclic antidepressant that may lower the seizure threshold, making this
an unsuitable choice for an individual with a history of seizure disorder. Phenelzine (C) is a
monoamine oxidase inhibitor and is not used first line due to the extensive side effect profile and
dietary restrictions associated with this drug. Venlafaxine (D) is a serotonin and norepinephrine
reuptake inhibitor that can cause dose-related hypertension and requires monitoring of blood
pressure while taking this medication.

 7. If there is a question about which agent to use in a patient with a history of substance use,
risperidone or aripiprazole would be better choices than either quetiapine or olanzapine.

Quetiapine has been found to have higher rates of

8.
misuse than the other second-generation antipsychotics
 9. . Buspirone is frequently used as an augment to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
or serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. Benzodiazepines, such as lorazepam,
can be used long-term in patients who are refractory to antidepressants and do not have a
history of substance misuse. Furthermore, they can be given short-term since
antidepressants take approximately 4 weeks to begin working.

10. complete blood count must be checked on a weekly basis.

.However, treatment with clozapine has an increased risk for

agranulocytosis, in which case a complete blood count must
be checked on a weekly basis.
Carbamazepine- SJS- test allele in asians

Paxil is the most sedating and has nausea!!