Use of Medication

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Use of Medication
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Important terms

• Pharmacotherapy-treatment with medication
• Psychotropics-drugs that affect mental
  functioning
• Neuroleptics-antipsychotic meds
• Psychoactive-acute effects on mood, thought,
  behavior

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General issues

• For some disorders, medication is a core part of
  treatment.
• Meds treat the symptoms, they dont cure the
  disorder.
• Psychotropics dont typically cause physiological
  dependence.
• Meds are approved for specific disorders.
• Stepwise treatment is preferred.

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Antidepressants

• Tricyclics
• Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)
• SSRIs or SRIs
• SNRIs-effexor, cymbalta

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Special considerations-antidepressants

• Gradual increase in blood levelgradual reduction
  of sx.
• Sometimes a reduction of side effects.
• Discontinuation syndrome with 6 weeks or more use
  abrupt discontinuation.
• Serotonin syndrome-restless, extreme nervousness,
  tremor, confusion

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Antimanics

• Lithium
• Anticonvulsants-tegretol, depakote, etc.
• Special considerations
• Blood tests are required to monitor lithium level
• Therapeutic dose is close to toxic dose

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Antipsychotics

• Traditional
• Atypical or novel
• Special considerations
• Gradual increase in effect
• Medication for side effects
• Tardive dyskinesia
• Blood tests required for some

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Anxiolytics

• Benzodiazepines
• Other-buspirone
• SSRIs-luvox (ocd), paxel (gad), zoloft (ptsd)
• Special considerations
• Benzos are addictive
• Benzos can be taken prn and have immediate
  effect.
• Other includes buspirone, which builds up in
  system over time.

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Stimulants

• Ritalin
• Adderall
• Special considerations
• Stimulants may be abused
• Non stimulants (SNRIs) are sometimes used for ADHD

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Why do clients dc medication?

• Side effects are unpleasant
• Sx diminish or go away
• Sx are familiar and possible pleasant
• Life is too disorganized to keep track
• Preference for nonprescribed drugs
• Limited or no improvement
• Rebellion, aka autonomous

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Too many meds?