Psychopharm side effects Review Questions with Complete Solutions Rated 100%
SSRI side effects - Answers common side effects tend to be related to increased serotonin activity and
include: nausea, gastrointestinal upset, sweating, anxiety, insomnia, headache, restlessness, and sexual
dysfunction. They can have very mild anticholinergic side effects and can cause dry mouth, serotonin
syndrome (resembles depression) sedation, and blurred vision.
SNRI side effects - Answers anxiety, blurred vision, change in appetite, change in weight, dizziness,
drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, insomnia, mild to moderate constipation, nausea, sexual problems,
sweating, stimulation, teeth grinding, tremor of the hands, yawning. Side effects requiring immediate
attention include: bleeding, especially gastrointestinal, bruising, chills or fever, increased blood pressure,
increased heart rate, seizures, shortness of breath, skin rash or hives, swelling of the hands or feet.
NRIs side effects - Answers anxiety, loss of appetite and sedation (but the medication does improve
energy and cognition, and has little to no effect on sexual function)
Tricyclics side effects - Answers anticholinergic (caused by binding to acetylcholine receptors) include
dry mouth, dry skin, blurred vision, constipation, paralytic ileus (cessation of normal peristalsis), urinary
retention, adrenergic side effects(caused by binding to neuroepinephrine or epinephrine) include:
sweating, sexual dysfunction, orthostatic hypotension, antihistaminic side effects (caused by binding to
histamine receptors) include: sedation, weight gain, other side effects include: lowered seizure
threshold, cardia arrythmias, hepatitis, agranulocitosis, rashes and elevated heart rate
Atypical Antidepressants side effects - Answers lowered seizure threshold, anxiety, and insomnia,other
side effects include: nausea, sedation and dizziness
MAOI side effects - Answers Tyramine crisis-sudden rise in blood pressure caused by eating foods high in
tyramine, sedation, insomnia, agitation, confusion, orthostatic symptoms, and edema, common side
effects include: anxiety, insomnia, agitation, and appetite suppression
Lithium side effects - Answers nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, toxicity, nervous system and neuromuscular
side effects including: headaches, lethargy, muscle weakness, fine hand tremor, confusion, stupor and
slurred speech-require blood level check. Endocrine-hypothyroidism, goiter-enlargement of the thyroid
gland, Renal-increased thirst (polydipsia), increased urination (polyuria)-excess lithium build up,
hematologic-increased white blood count, cardiovascular-minor EKG changes, dermatologic-rash, acne-
like lesions, weight gain and teratogenecity (causes developmental abnormalities) are other side effects
Carbamazepine (Tegretol) side effects (anticonvulsant) - Answers CNS-sedation, dizziness, drowsiness,
blurred vision, GI-nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, Dermatologic-red, itching rash or hives,
Hematologic- decreased white blood count, Other-used cautiously with patients with liver disease of
CAD, About 30% of patients experience various side effects
Divalproex (Depakote) (anticonvulsant) side effects - Answers generally fewer side effects than
carbamazepine, fewer fatigue, dizziness, GI side effects common but transient
