Chapter 29
Psychopharmacology
254
, Chapter 29: Psychopharmacology
Introduction
Psychopharmacology is the study and clinical use of medications that affect the mind, especially those that are
used to treat psychiatric disorders.
The medications mentioned in this chapter have been discussed in greater detail in other chapters:
o Antidepressants - see Chapter 11.
o Mood stabilisers - see Chapter 13.
o Antipsychotics - see Chapter 15.
o Anticholinergics - see Chapter 15.
o Benzodiazepines - see Chapter 19.
o Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors - see Chapter 22.
The following tables are given in this chapter:
o Table 1: Groups of psychotropic medications and corresponding examples.
o Table 2: Biological first line management in psychiatry.
o Table 3: Mechanism of action of psychotropic medications.
o Table 4: Main effects of receptor activity.
Table 1: Groups of psychotropic medications and corresponding examples
Psychotropic medication group – Page 1 of 2 Example – Page 1 of 2
Antidepressants
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) Fluoxetine.
Paroxetine.
Fluvoxamine.
Citalopram.
Escitalopram.
Sertraline.
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) Amitriptyline.
Nortriptyline.
Imipramine.
Trimipramine.
Clomipramine.
Lofepramine.
Dothiepin (dosulepin).
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) Traditional MAOIs
o Phenelzine.
o Isocarboxazid.
o Tranylcypromine.
Reversible monoamine oxidase inhibitor (RIMA)
o Moclobemide.
Serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) Venlafaxine.
Duloxetine.
Noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (NARI) Reboxetine.
Serotonin antagonist reuptake inhibitor (SARI) Trazodone.
Tetracyclic antidepressant (TeCA) Mianserin.
Noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressant Mirtazapine.
(NaSSA)
Noradrenergic and dopaminergic reuptake inhibitor (NDRI) Bupropion.
Melatonergic antidepressant Agomelatine.
Multimodal activity - inhibits serotonin reuptake and Vortioxetine.
modulates serotonin receptor activity.
Mood stabilisers Lithium.
Carbamazepine.
Valproate.
Lamotrigine.
255
Psychopharmacology
254
, Chapter 29: Psychopharmacology
Introduction
Psychopharmacology is the study and clinical use of medications that affect the mind, especially those that are
used to treat psychiatric disorders.
The medications mentioned in this chapter have been discussed in greater detail in other chapters:
o Antidepressants - see Chapter 11.
o Mood stabilisers - see Chapter 13.
o Antipsychotics - see Chapter 15.
o Anticholinergics - see Chapter 15.
o Benzodiazepines - see Chapter 19.
o Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors - see Chapter 22.
The following tables are given in this chapter:
o Table 1: Groups of psychotropic medications and corresponding examples.
o Table 2: Biological first line management in psychiatry.
o Table 3: Mechanism of action of psychotropic medications.
o Table 4: Main effects of receptor activity.
Table 1: Groups of psychotropic medications and corresponding examples
Psychotropic medication group – Page 1 of 2 Example – Page 1 of 2
Antidepressants
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) Fluoxetine.
Paroxetine.
Fluvoxamine.
Citalopram.
Escitalopram.
Sertraline.
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) Amitriptyline.
Nortriptyline.
Imipramine.
Trimipramine.
Clomipramine.
Lofepramine.
Dothiepin (dosulepin).
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) Traditional MAOIs
o Phenelzine.
o Isocarboxazid.
o Tranylcypromine.
Reversible monoamine oxidase inhibitor (RIMA)
o Moclobemide.
Serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) Venlafaxine.
Duloxetine.
Noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (NARI) Reboxetine.
Serotonin antagonist reuptake inhibitor (SARI) Trazodone.
Tetracyclic antidepressant (TeCA) Mianserin.
Noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressant Mirtazapine.
(NaSSA)
Noradrenergic and dopaminergic reuptake inhibitor (NDRI) Bupropion.
Melatonergic antidepressant Agomelatine.
Multimodal activity - inhibits serotonin reuptake and Vortioxetine.
modulates serotonin receptor activity.
Mood stabilisers Lithium.
Carbamazepine.
Valproate.
Lamotrigine.
255
