Psychotropic Drugs

 Mental Health
 Jene’ Hurlbut, RN, MSN, CFNP
Objectives:
 Discuss the functions of the brain and the way this
can be altered by the use of psychotrophic
medications

 Discuss how the neurotransmitters are affected by

various psychotrophic medications

 Discuss the application of the nursing process with

various psychotrophic medications

 Identify specific cautions to be aware of the various

psychotrophic medications
Psychotropic Drugs
 Locus of all mental activity is the brain
 Origin of psychiatric illness caused by
many factors:
 Genetics
 Neurodevelopment factors
 Drugs
 Infections
 Psychosocial experiences, etc.
Psychotropic Drugs-continue
 Theories behind use of psychotropic drugs focuses on
neurotransmitters and their receptors

 Psychotropic drugs act by modulating neurotransmitters

Go to: http://www.wisc-online.com/

 Health: Nursing, activity #3503 (Psychotropic Medications and

Neurotransmitters)

 Or try: http://www.wisc-online.com/objects/index_tj.asp?
objID=NUR3503
Review: Cellular composition
of brain
 Neurons-nerve cells that conduct electrical
impulses
 Neurotransmitter-chemical that is released
in response to an electrical impulse
(neuromessenger).
 Attaches to a receptors on cell surface and either
inhibits or excites
 Major target of psychotropic drugs

See table 3-1 on pg. 40 !!!!

Use of psychotropic meds:
 Relieve or reduce s/s of dysfunctional
thoughts, moods, or actions, & mental
illness

 Improve client’s functioning

 Increase compliance to other therapies

Therapeutic Effects of
Psychotropic Meds
 Do not “cure”
 Relieve or decrease
symptoms
 Prevent or delay return
of S/S
 Cannot be used as the
sole tx for disorders
 Need informed consent
before starting
 Are broad spectrum and
have effects on a large
number of S/S.
 Initial effects are
sedative in nature
 May take weeks for
effects to be seen
Reasons for Nonadherence:
 Meds are expensive  Stigma associated
with having a
mental illness and
 Unpleasant side taking meds
effects
 Paranoia or fears
 Feel better and about med usage
decide no longer
need
Services Encouraging Compliance
to Medication Regimen:
 Follow-up appts. With client to verify that client understands the
purpose, proper administration, intended effects, side and toxic
effects of, and how to treat problems associated with meds

 Support persons can encourage and assist the client to comply

with meds

 Appropriate lab tests must be conducted to prevent

complications and assure correct levels of drugs

 Encourage clients to participate in med groups

 Can use injections of antipsychotics which will last from 2-4

weeks if clients are non-compliant
Efficacy of Psychotropics with
Children & Elderly
 Use with great caution

 Start low and go slow for both elders and

children!!

 Elders have decrease liver & renal function

 Risk of injuries and falls with elderly

Client & Family Teaching
 Purpose of the meds  What S/S indicate a
and benefits, side toxic effect, and
effects and how to how to treat, and
treat SE. whom to call.

 Specific instructions
about how to take
the meds
Psychotropic Meds
Classifications:
 Antipsychotics  Sedatives
(neuroleptics)
 Hypnotics
 Mood Stabilizers
 Psychostimulants
 Antidepressants
 Antihistamines,
 Anxiolytics antimuscarinics,
(antianxiety) dopamine agonists
Uses for
Antipsychotics/Neuroleptics
 Schizophrenia  Tourette’s Syndrome
Disorders
 Control of
 Bipolar-Manic Phase intractable hiccups

 Major Depression  Dementia, and

with psychotic Delusions
features
 Aggressive behavior
Antipsychotic Meds-
Neuroleptics
 First generation:  Atypical Antipsychotics
(2nd and 3rd gen)=
Phenothiazines=
Clozaril,
Thorazine, Zyprexa, Risperdal,
Mellaril, Stelazine, Geodon,
Prolixin (high Seroquel,
potency) Zeldox
Non Invega,
Phenothiazines= Abilify
Haldol
(butyrophenones)
(high potency)
First Gen Antipsychotic Meds
 Block
predominantly
dopamine activity
 little effect on
serotonin
 Blocks the H
receptor for
histamine
 results in sedation
and weight gain

 High incidence of
abnormal
movements
(Also blocks acetylcholine,
norepinephrine to some
degree)
Side Effects of 1st Gen Drugs
 Dystonia  Pseudoparkinson-
(EPS)=spasms of the S/S similar to
eye, neck-torticollis, Parkinson's-see in 1-2
back, tongue-happens weeks. May disappear.
within 72 hrs. TX. With Cogentin
reversible.
 Tardive Dyskinesia-
 Akathisia (EPS)= bizarre facial and
restlessness tongue movements-
irreversible.
Other S/E of 1st gen
Antipsychotics
 Amenorrhea
 Galactorrhea
 Blurred vision, dry mouth,
constipation and urinary
retention, tachycardia-
anticholinergic S/E
 Sexual dysfunction
 Severe dysrhythmias
 In men can lead to
gynecomastia
 photosensitivity & skin
rashes (i.e. haldol)
 Reduction is seizure
threshold
 Orthostatic hypotension
 Agranulocytosis
Contraindications of Traditional
Antipsychotics (1st Gen):
 Blood dyscrasias
 Liver, renal, or cardiac insufficiency
 CNS depressants, including ETOH
 Tegretol in conjunction with
antipsychotics causes up to 50%
reduction in antipsychotic
concentrations
 SSRI’s in conjunction with
antipsychotics may cause sudden
onset of EPS
 Don’t give if have: Parkinson's
disease, prolactin dependent cancer
of the breast
 Cigarette smoking causes reduced
plasma concentrations of
antipsychotics
 Luvox in conjunction with
antipsychotics causes increased
concentrations of Haldol and Clozaril
 Beta Blockers in conjunction with
antipsychotics cause severe
hypotension
 Antidepressants in conjunction with
antipsychotics may cause increased
antidepressant concentrations
First Generation Antipsychotic
Meds
 Are useful in getting out of control
behavior under control quickly.

 These can be given with lithium to get

treat acute mania.
Atypical Antipsychotics
 Action:
 Blocks serotonin and to a lesser degree,
dopamine receptors
 Also block receptors for norepinephrine ,
histamine, acetylcholine
Atypical Antipsychotics- 2nd
and 3rd generation drugs
 Nicer drugs and are  Incidence of abnormal
used more!! movements is lower!

 Decrease positive and  Biggest SE is wt. gain

negative S/S of
Schizophrenia

 These drugs block

serotonin as well as
dopamine
Positive & Negative S/S of
Schizophrenia
 Positive:  Negative:
 Hallucinations  Blunted affect
 Delusions  Poverty of speech
 Abnormal thoughts  Social withdrawal
 Bizarre behavior  Poor motivation
 Confused thoughts
Atypical Antipsychotics-2nd and 3rd
generation:
Clozaril (clozapine)
 low incidence of  Most common S/E:
abnormal  sedation &
movements drowsiness, wt. gain

 possible fatal side  Other S/E are:

effect:  hypersalivation,
 bone marrow tachycardia, &
suppression & dizziness, seizure risk
agranulocytosis
(rare)
Atypical Antipsychotics-2nd and 3rd
generation: continue
 Risperidone  Seroquel
 Does not cause bone (Quetiapine)
marrow suppression  S/E sedation, weight
gain and headache
 Can cause at higher
doses motor
 Not associated with
abnormal
difficulties movements
 Available as a long
acting injection
 Can be used to tx.
mania
Atypical Antipsychotics-2nd and 3rd
generation: continue
 Zyprexa (olanzapine)
 does not cause bone marrow suppression
 Can cause weight gain & hyperglycemia
 Adverse effects-Drowsiness, insomnia restlessness

 Geodan (ziprasidone)
 Binds to multiple receptor sites
 Main S/E are hypotension & sedation
 Can prolong the QT interval-can be fatal if hx of cardiac arrhythmias

 Abilify (Aripiprazole)
 Dopamine stabilizer
 Partial agonist at the D2 receptor
 In areas of the brain with excess dopamine, it lowers dopamine
 In areas of low dopamine, it stimulates receptors to raise the dopamine
level
 Main S/E are sedation, hypotension, and anticholinergic effects
 Adverse effects-headache, anxiety insomnia, GI upset
Contraindications for Atypical
Antipsychotics:
 Known hypersensitivity
 CNS depression, including ETOH
 Blood dyscrasias in clients with
Parkinson’s disease
 Liver, renal, or cardiac insufficiency
 Use with caution in diabetics, elderly, or
debilitated
 SSRIs in conjunction with antipsychotics
may cause sudden onset of EPS
 Cigarette smoking causes reduced
plasma concentrations
 Tegretol
(carbamazepine) in conjunction with
antipsychotics causes up to 50%
reduction in antipsychotic levels
 Luvox (fluvoxamine) in conjunction with
antipsychotics causes increased
concentrations of Haldol & Clozaril
 Beta Blockers in conjunction with
antipsychotics cause severe hypotension
 Antidepressants in conjunction with
antipsychotics may cause increased
antidepressant concentrations
Antipsychotics
 Can be given be given as an IM
injection (depot preparations) if have
difficulty taking oral meds.

 Can use lower doses when given IM, so

less risk of tardive dyskinesia
Neuroleptic Malignant
Syndrome
 Rare, but fatal  High temp up to 107
complication from all
antipsychotic drugs  Tachycardia
 See more with 1st gen  Tachypnea
drugs

 Severe muscle rigidity

 Stupor

 Coma
Mood Stabilizers
 Used in the  Drugs used Lithium
treatment of Manic and Antiepileptic
(Bipolar) disorder, Drugs
and in some forms
of depression
Lithium
 Mechanism of action  Can cause polyuria and
unknown polydipsa due to Na and
K alterations
 Interacts with sodium
and K+  Has the lowest
therapeutic index of all
psych drugs
 Alters electrical
conductivity
 potential threat to all  Have to monitor blood
body functions that are levels of this drug
regulated by electrical
currents
Lithium
 Maintenance blood levels of
lithium are usually 0.4-1.3 mEq
(toxicity occurs with levels > 1.5
mEq/L)
 Sign of toxicity is a fine intention
tremor that becomes more
pronounced and coarse.
 Risk of thyroid & kidney disease
 If toxic s/s occur discontinue the
drug and notify health care
provider
 Lithium should be taken with
food
 Client must eat a balanced diet
with normal sodium intake and
take in adequate fluid (about 2-
3 liters/day).
 Excretion is dependent on this.
 Dehydration and salt restriction
can increase lithium levels &
cause toxicity.
 Takes 2-3 weeks for lithium to
become effective (may use
antipsychotic until therapeutic
levels are reached)
Signs & symptoms of lithium
toxicity:
 Fine hand tremors  Severe Toxicity:
that progress of  decrease level of
coarse tremors consciousness to
stupor and finally
 Mild GI upset
coma
progressing to  Seizures, severe
persistent upset hypotension, severe
 Slurred speech and polyuria with dilute
muscle weakness urine
progressing to
mental confusion
Lithium:

 Lithium serum concentrations are increased by

fluoxetine (Prozac), ACE inhibitors, diuretics, and
NSAIDs

 Lithium serum concentrations are decreased by

theophylline, osmotic diuretics, and urine alkalinizers
Contraindications for Lithium:
 Renal disease

 Cardiac disease

 Severe dehydration

 Sodium depletion

 Brain damage

 Pregnancy or lactation

 Use with caution in the elderly or clients with diabetics, thyroid

disorders, urinary retention, and seizures
Anticonvulsants/Antiepileptic
Drugs
 Causes an increase in GABA in the CNS-which
causes a decrease in anxiety.

 Reduce the mood swings with bipolar

Anticonvulsants/Antiepileptic
Drugs
 Tegretol (carbamazepine)-also used to treat
severe pain (i.e. trigeminal neuralgia)

 Depakote (valproic acid)-can cause hepatic

failure, pancreatitis, & thrombocytopenia.
Watch for liver failure

 Klonopin (clonazepam)

 Lamictal (Lamotrigine)-can have a rare but

fatal dermatological condition
Toxic Effects of
Anticonvulsants:
 Tegretol can cause agranulocytosis and
aplastic anemia

 Depakote can cause liver dysfunction, hepatic

failure, and blood dyscrasias including
thrombocytopenia

 Depakote interacts with drugs that are

hepatically metabolized
Contraindications for
Anticonvulsants :
 Hepatic or renal disease

 Pregnancy

 Lactation

 Presence of blood dyscrasias

Unique teaching needs with
anticonvulsants:
 Monitor blood levels of mood stabilizers to
prevent toxicity

 Monitor liver, renal function tests and CBCs

 Depakote must be swallowed whole, not cut,

chewed, or crushed to prevent irritation
Antidepressants
 Tx of depressive moods, including
bipolar disease

 4 categories:
 Tricyclics
 MAOI’s
 SSRI’S
 Atypical Antidepressants
Antidepressant Drugs
 Tricyclics- Elavil, Tofranil

 SSRI’s-Zoloft, Paxil

 MAOI’s- Nardil, Parnate, Marplan

Atypical Antidepressants
 Inhibits selective  Sertonin Norepineprine
reuptake of serotonin: Reuptake Inhibitor-
Trazodone (desyrel) (SNRI): Effexor
(venlafaxine)
 Norepinephrine
Dopamine Reuptake  Increases release of
Inhibitor (NDRI): serotonin &
Wellbutrin (Bupropion) norepinephrine :
Remeron (mirtazapine)
 Serotonin &
norepinephrine
reuptake inhibitor:
Cymbalta (duloxetine)
Atypical Antidepressants
 Trazodone=
alternative to TCA’s
 Can cause orthostatic
hypotension, sedation, &
priapism in males
 Remeron= causes
sedation, weight gain,
dry mouth, constipation
 Wellbutrin (zyban)=
rarely causes sedation,
wt. Gain, or sexual
dysfunction.
 Used for smoking cessation.
Most common S/E are
headaches, insomnia &
nausea
 Can lower seizure threshold
–causes seizures
Atypical Antidepressants:
serotonin norepinephrine reuptake
inhibitor (SNRI):
 SNRI-blocks uptake of  Skipping 1 dose can
serotonin and cause withdrawal S/S
norepinephrine
 Drug here is Effexor
 Good for clients with & Cymbalta
anxiety also  Very effective in
treating severe
 SE=sexual dysfunction, depression
insomnia, agitation
Major Indications for
Antidepressants
 Major Depressive  Substance Abuse
disorder  Chronic Pain
 Bipolar depression  Tourette’s Disorder
 Obsessive-  ADHD
Compulsive  Eating disorders
 Anxiety  Sleep disorders
 Panic disorder  Migraines
 PTSD  Enuresis
Tricyclics:
Elavil, Pamelor, Tofranil, Anafranil,
Aventyl, Asendin, Sinequan
 Blocks the reuptake of  Other side effects:
norepinephrine and
sertonin
 orthostatic
hypotension
 Tricyclic drugs block the
 sedation
muscarine receptors (so  wt. gain
anticholinergic effects)  confusion-esp.
elderly
 arrhythmias
Tricyclics Contraindications
 Do not mix with ETOH (none
of the psych drugs should be
mixed with ETOH)
 Dementia
 Suicidal clients
 Cardiac disease
 Pregnancy
 Seizure disorders
 Urinary retention
 Dose for elderly should be ½
of adult dose
 TCA’s and MAOIs are
effective in tx. depression
 are not as safe or as well
tolerated as the newer
antidepressants
 Toxic Effects:
possibility of cardiac
toxicity and are toxic in
overdose
SSRI’s
 Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, Luvox, Serzone,
Lexapro

 Action-blocks the reuptake of sertonin into the

neuron

 Side-effect:
 biggest is sexual dysfunction & wt. gain

 Contraindication:
 Cardiac dysrhythmias
SSRI’s
 Are very safe and are not lethal in overdose

 Good choice with the elderly-very few side effects

 If used with MAOI’s may cause Serotonin

Syndrome=seizure, death

 If used with TCA’s may cause TCA toxicity

 Takes 2 weeks to feel effects

MAOI’s
 Nardil, Parnate,  Avoid foods with
Marplan tyramine (aged cheese,
red wine, beer,
 Inhibits MAO, thus chocolate, etc.)
interfering with
breakdown of
norepinephrine,  MAOI’s don’t play well
dopamine, and with other drugs!!
serotonin

 Toxic effects=
 hypertensive crises
Antianxiety/Anxiolytic Drugs
 GABA exerts an  The most common
inhibitory effect on used drugs here are
neurons the
 These drugs Benzodiazepines
enhance this effect
and produce a
sedative effect
 Therefore reduce
anxiety
Benzodiazepines
 Valium, Xanax, Ativan ,  Use only short term because
Librium , Klonopin, of dependency issues
Serax
 Avoid ETOH
 Dalmane, Halcion (used
as sleep aides mostly-  Causes sedation-don’t drive!!
short term!!)

 Used for anxiety, panic

disorders, ETOH withdrawal,
muscle spasm, sedation,
insomnia, and
epileptics/seizures
Benzodiazepines
 Side Effects;
 Drowsiness, confusion, sedation, and lethargy

 Toxic Effects;
 Respiratory depression esp. with ETOH use!

 Contraindications;
 Combination with other CNS depressants
 Renal or hepatic dysfunction
 History of drug abuse or addiction
 Depression and suicidal tendencies

 Teaching;
 Use short term due to drug dependency issues
 Avoid ETOH and other CNS depressants
 Can impair ability to drive
 Do not use with someone who has a hx of drug dependency
 D’C meds can cause withdrawal s/s
Nonbenzodiazepine Aniolytic
 BuSpar (Buspirone)=  Takes 2 weeks to
 reduces anxiety without feel effects
strong sedative-
hypnotic properties.
 Not a CNS depressant
 No potential for
addiction
Nonbenzodiazepine Aniolytic
 Side Effects;
 Dizziness, dry mouth, nervousness, diarrhea, headache, excitement

 Toxic Effects;
 Lethal dose is 160-550 times the daily recommended dose

 Contraindications;
 Use with caution in PG women
 Nursing mothers
 Clients with renal or hepatic disease
 Anyone taking MAOs

 Teaching;
 Buspar is not associated with sedation, cognitive problems or withdrawal
 Takes 2-4 weeks to feel effects
 Some clients might feel restless, which could be incompleted anxiety
Sedative/Hypnotic Drugs
 Used to reduce  Drugs used
anxiety and
insomnia benzodiazepines,
i.e. Dalmane,
 Can lead to Restoril, Halcion
tolerance and
dependency Non-
benzodiazepines,
 Use short term i.e. Ambien,
Sonata, Lunestra
Sedative/Hypnotic
Benzodiazepine Teaching:
 Use short term(1-2 weeks)

 Carefully need to taper these off-never stop

cold turkey

 Do not take with other meds without talking

to provider first

 Do not drive if sedated on these!!

Client Teaching for
Nonbenzodiazepines
 Long term use not recommended

 Do not drive when taking

 Can repeat Sonata up to 4 hours before

arising
ADD/ADHD-Psychostimulants
 Ritalin, Adderall,  S/E: wt. loss,
Dexedrine, Concerta, anorexia, insomnia,
Focalin, Metadate, headache, long-term
Methylin growth suppression

 Action=  Potential for abuse

increasing the release
and blocking the  Also used to treat
reuptake of narcolepsy
monoamines
(dopamine,
norepinephrine)
ADD/ADHD-Psychostimulants
 Intended effects:
 Increased attention span & concentration
 Decreased distractibility, hyperactivity, and impulsivity
 Treatment of ADHD, ADD, & narcolepsy

 S/E:
 Anorexia
 Wt. loss
 Growth retardation in children
 Insomnia
 Headache
 Cardiovascular effects-high blood pressure, dysrhythmias

 Contraindications:
 Hx of drug abuse & dependency, severe anxiety, anorexia, MAIOIs
ADD/ADHD- Non-Stimulants
 Strattera (atomoxetine)
 Controls symptoms thru selective inhibition
of norepinephrine

 Takes 1-3 weeks to feel effects

 No abuse potential and is not considered a

controlled substance
Meds used to Tx
Extrapyramidal SE
 Cogentin  These meds should
 Benadryl be taken
 Artane simultaneously with
antipsychotic meds
 Symmetrel to prevent EPS
 Requip
 Akineton
 Kemadrin
Meds for Alzheimer’s
 Drugs here are used  Memantine
to slow the (Namenda, Ebixa)
progression of the  Cognex (tacrine)
disease  Aricept (donepezil)
 Exelon
(Rivastigmine)
 Razadyne
(galantamine)
Herbal Medicines
 Ginkgo biloba-helps with memory
 Kava-Kava
 St. John’s Wart
PET Scan=positron-emission tomography
(PET) scans
 Useful in identifying physiological and
biochemical changes as they occur in living
tissue
 i.e. clients with schizophrenia PET scans show a
decrease of glucose in the frontal lobes of
unmedicated clients, also can indicate mood
disorders, ADHD
 Radioactive substance is injected, travels to the
brain, and illuminates the brain. Have 3D
visualizations of the CNS