Notes for GPAT & NIPER

NERVOUS Mnemonics

Cholinergics (eg organophosphates): effects

If you know these, you will be "LESS DUMB":

Lacrimation

Excitation of nicotinic synapses

Salivation

Sweating

Diarrhea

Urination

Micturition

Bronchoconstriction

*Drugs used for the treatment of Parkinsonism

Carrot SALAD

C - COMT inhibitors

S - Selegiline

A - Anticholinergics

L - L-dopa

A - Amantadine

D - Dopamine receptor agonists

*

ANTIDEPRESSANT DRUGS

In depression, Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are the drug of choice in severe depression because of their high efficacy while the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the drug of choice in mild to moderate depression because of their high safety.

The side effects of TCAs are:

T Tremors

C Cardiovascular side effects (arrhythmias esp. in ischemic heart disease, postural hypotension)

A Anticholinergic side effects (dry mouth, dysphagia, constipation, urinary retention, palpitations,etc.)

S Sedation and Seizures (in predisposed patients)

The side effects of SSRIs are:

S Serotonin syndrome

S Stimulate CNS

R Reproductive dysfunctions if male

I Insomnia Serotonin syndrome is a very dangerous and fatal situation. It is just like neuroleptic malignant syndrome and results from interaction between serotonin enhancing drugs e.g. SSRIs, MAO-Is, TCAs, etc.

Serotonin syndrome is characterized by (causes HARM):

H Hyperthermia

A Autonomic instability (delirium)

R Rigidity

M Myoclonus