Antidepressants are used to alter the concentration of neurotransmitters in the brain that is responsible for the depressed affect (feelings in response to the environment, whether positive and pleasant or negative and unpleasant). Show
These drugs counteract the effects of neurotransmitter deficiencies in three ways:
Antidepressants are classified into three groups: tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Antidepressants: Generic and Brand NamesHere is a table of commonly encountered diuretic agents, their generic names, and brand names:
Manifestation Spotlight: DepressionDepressionis an affective disorder characterized by a persistent and intense feeling of sadness much more severe and longer lasting than the suspected precipitating event. There may be no external causes.
Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)
Therapeutic Action
Indications
Children
Adults
Older adults
Pharmacokinetics
Contraindications and Cautions
Adverse Effects
Interactions
Nursing ConsiderationsHere are important nursing considerations when administering this drug: Nursing AssessmentThese are the important things the nurse should include in conducting assessment, history taking, and examination:
Nursing DiagnosesHere are some of the nursing diagnoses that can be formulated in the use of this drug for therapy:
Implementation with RationaleThese are vital nursing interventions done in patients who are taking TCAs:
EvaluationHere are aspects of care that should be evaluated to determine effectiveness of drug therapy:
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)
Therapeutic Action
Indications
Children
Adults
Older adults
Pharmacokinetics
Contraindications and Cautions
Adverse Effects
Interactions
Nursing ConsiderationsHere are important nursing considerations when administering this drug: Nursing AssessmentThese are the important things the nurse should include in conducting assessment, history taking, and examination:
Nursing DiagnosesHere are some of the nursing diagnoses that can be formulated in the use of this drug for therapy:
Implementation with RationaleThese are vital nursing interventions done in patients who are taking MAOIs:
EvaluationHere are aspects of care that should be evaluated to determine effectiveness of drug therapy:
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
Therapeutic Action
Indications
Children
Adults
Older adults
Pharmacokinetics
Contraindications and Cautions
Adverse Effects
Interactions
Nursing ConsiderationsHere are important nursing considerations when administering this drug: Nursing AssessmentThese are the important things the nurse should include in conducting assessment, history taking, and examination:
Nursing DiagnosesHere are some of the nursing diagnoses that can be formulated in the use of this drug for therapy:
Implementation with RationaleThese are vital nursing interventions done in patients who are taking SSRIs:
EvaluationHere are aspects of care that should be evaluated to determine effectiveness of drug therapy:
Practice Quiz: AntidepressantsPractice questions from our nursing test bank about antidepressants. Can you get a perfect score? 1. Nortriptyline and protriptyline are classified as what class of TCAs? A. Amines 2. The following are true about depression, except: A. External causes always play a part in assessment and diagnosis. 3. Which TCA is also approved for use in patients with OCD? A. Imipramine 4. A combination of MAOIs and TCAs will precipitate which drug adverse effect? A. Severe hypertensive crisis 5. What is the treatment for hypertensive crisis caused by MAOI? A. Phentolamine 6. How many weeks will the full therapeutic effects of SSRIs be realized? A. 2 weeks Answers and Rationale 1. Answer: B. Secondary amines. Examples of amines include amoxapine, amitriptyline, clomipramine, doxepin, and clozapine. Example of tetracyclic include maprotiline. 2. Answer: A. External causes always play a part in assessment and diagnosis. Depression can have no external causes. 3. Answer: B. Clomipramine. 4. Answer: B. Severe hyperpyretic crisis. It is accompanied by convulsions, hypertensive episodes, and even death. 5. Answer: A. Phentolamine 6. Answer: B. 4 weeks. Therefore, it is important for nurses to instruct patients that effects of the drug will not be instantly feel and experienced. Recommended ResourcesRecommended resources and reference books. Disclosure: Includes Amazon affiliate links.
See AlsoHere are other nursing pharmacology study guides:
Gastrointestinal System Drugs
Respiratory System Drugs
Endocrine System Drugs
Autonomic Nervous System Drugs
Immune System Drugs
Chemotherapeutic Agents
Reproductive System Drugs
Nervous System Drugs
Cardiovascular System Drugs
References and SourcesReferences and sources for this pharmacology guide for Antidepressants:
What medications are contraindicated with MAOI?What drugs interact with MAOIs? MAO inhibitors should be avoided with other antidepressants such as paroxetine fluoxetine, amitriptyline, nortriptyline, bupropion; pain medications like methadone, tramadol, and meperidine; dextromethorphan, St. Johns Wort, cyclobenzaprine, and mirtazapine.
What drug category should be avoided for patients receiving MAOI therapy?[9] For example, patients should not be mixing MAOIs with other antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). [12] These two drugs combined can cause serotonin syndrome, which is potentially fatal.
What drugs are considered MAOIs?All three MAOIs (isocarboxazid, phenelzine and tranylcypromine), available in the U.S. and used for the treatment of depression, are irreversible inhibitors of the enzyme monoamine oxidase.
Why can't you take an SSRI with an MAOI?The use of SSRIs and SNRIs should be avoided with an MAOI because of the risk of serious adverse effects and even death. The combination has a high risk of serotonin syndrome, and deaths have been reported when taken at therapeutic doses.
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