Psychopharmacology Midterm
Study Guide
1. Serotonin regulates Correct answer- Mood, emotion, feeding, and
reproductive behavior
2. This class of antidepressants binds to presynaptic SERT and inhibits
them from reuptake of serotonin to increase levels in the synaptic cleft
to bind with postsysnaptic 5HT2 receptors Correct answer- SSRIs
3. First line therapy for MDD due to milder side effect profiles Correct
answer- SSRIs
4. Six Common SSRIs Correct answer- citalopram, escitalopram,
fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, sertraline, paroxetine
5. Onset of therapeutic benefit from SSRIs Correct answer- 4-6 weeks
6. In addition to MDD, SSRIs also treat Correct answer- Chronic Anxiety,
PTSD, OCD, and eating disorders (bulimia)
7. Five Common side effects of SSRIs include Correct answer- Anxiety,
insomnia, GI distress, sexual dysfunction (ED), SIADH
8. Severe side effect of SSRIs in children/adolescents under age 25 years
old Correct answer- suicidal ideation
9. Life threatening adverse effect of SSRIs, especially when used in
combination with other serotonergic drugs (SNRIs, TCAs, MAOIs, etc.)
Correct answer- Serotonin Syndrome
10. Excess accumulation of serotonin resulting in overstimulation of
the nervous system Correct answer- Serotonin Syndrome
11. Seven symptoms of Serotonin Syndrome Correct answer-
Flushing, hyperthermia, agitation, muscle rigidity, seizure, coma,
HYPERreflexia
, 12. The treatment for serotonin syndrome Correct answer-
Cyproheptadine (5-HT2 receptor antagonist)
13. Cyproheptadine treats serotonin syndrome by Correct answer-
blocking 5-HT2 receptors (serotonin antagonist)
14. When SSRIs or SNRIs are stopped abruptly, common symptoms
of withdrawal include Correct answer- Irritability, headaches, and
insomnia
15. Medicine specific side effect of citalopram Correct answer-
Prolonged QT interval (normal=0.4.-0.44 seconds)
16. This SSRI is pregnancy category D due to associations with
congenital heart defects Correct answer- Paroxetine
17. All SSRIs but paroxetine (D) are pregnancy category Correct
answer- C
18. Three SSRIs that are inhibitors of Cytochrome P450 enzymes
Correct answer- fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, and paroxetine
19. Five common SNRIs include Correct answer- duloxetine,
venlafaxine, desvenlafaxine, milnacipran, levomilnacipran
20. This antidepressant class of medications works by binding to
presynaptic SERT and NET to inhibit them from reuptake of serotonin
and norepinephrine to increase their levels in the synaptic cleft Correct
answer- SNRIs
21. In addition to MDD SNRIs treat Correct answer- Anxiety and
neuropathic pain (peripheral neuropathy)
22. Medication specific indications of duloxetine: Correct answer-
urinary incontinence and Fibromyalgia
23. Medication specific indications of venlafaxine: Correct answer-
social anxiety, panic disorders, PTSD, OCD, postmenopausal hot
flashes
24. Six common side effects of SNRIs include: Correct answer-
Insomnia, nausea, sexual dysfunction, hypertension, sweating,
headaches
25. Severe side effect of SNRIs in children/adolescents under age 25
years old: Correct answer- suicidal ideation