In the treatment of depression, which type of antidepressants are typically first line?
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
Selective Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors
Tricyclic Antidepressants
Antidepressants are known to typically take full effect after the first dose is taken
The main treatment for bipolar disorder is a drug called
Which of the following anticonvulsants (usually used to prevent seizures in epilepsy) has use as a mood stabiliser for bipolar depression?
Sodium Valproate
Lamotrigine
Phenytoin
Carbamazepine
Acetazolamide
Which of the following anticonvulsants (usually used to prevent seizures in epilepsy) has use as a mood stabiliser for manic episodes in bipolar disorder?
Carbemazepine
In cases of bipolar disorder, an antidepressant should generally not be given without also prescribing a mood stabiliser.
Which 3 of the following medications are examples of selective serotonin uptake inhibitors?
Fluoxetine
Sertraline
Citalopram
Amitriptyline
Imipramine
Duloxetine
Venlafaxine
When in the day should selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors be taken?
In the morning
In the evening
In a depressed patient with cardiac problems, which antidepressant would be safest for them to take?
Of the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, Fluoxetine is the safest in epileptic patients.
Citalopram is generally unsafe in patients with cardiac problems, as it predisposes to Long QT Syndrome First Degree Heart-block Second Degree Heart-block (Mobitz I)( Long QT Syndrome, First Degree Heart-block, Second Degree Heart-block (Mobitz I) )
Generally, when in the day should Tricyclic Antidepressants be taken?
When SSRIs fail, typically the next drug type to be given is a Noradrenergic and Specific Serotonergic Antidepressant (NaSSA). What is the most common example of this drug type?
Mirtazapine
Mesalazine
Amoxapine
Nortriptyline
Desipramine
One of the main side effects or Mirtazapine is ...
Hunger & weight gain
Paraesthesia of the distal limbs
Recurrent headaches
Sexual dysfunction
Like tricyclic antidepressants, Mirtazapine should be taken in the evening morning( evening, morning ).
When both SSRIs and Mirtazapine have failed, the next class of antidepressants that are generally given are called Serotonin and Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs). Which of the following drugs is an example of a SNRI?
Aptazapine
Bupropion
Nefazodone
Dutoxipine
Like SSRIs, SNRIs should be taken in the morning evening( morning, evening )
Which of the following drug types should not be taken whilst a patient is on Lithium?
NSAIDs
Steroids
Anti-emetics
Beta Blockers
Anticonvulsants
Monitoring for a patient on Lithium Carbonate: ❌ - Lithium level 12 hours after last dose and U&Es every 5 days until lithium within therapeutic range ❌ - Lithium level and U&Es ❌ - Thyroid Function Tests
A patient taking a common medication for bipolar disorder presents to the out of hours GP complaining of blurred vision and a coarse tremor. It is likely that they are suffering from toxicity
Patients on which of the following drugs should be advised to stop taking the drug if they develop a rash, due to the risk of developing Stevens-Johnson syndrome?
Although SSRIs are typically not considered to be teratogenic, the SSRI should not be given during pregnancy as it is known to cause foetal heart defects.
