Medications affect

on
Neurotransmitters
NEUROTRANSMITTER
• A neurotransmitter is
chemical messenger
between neurons by
which one neuron
triggers another
• When
neurotransmitters are
out of balance
depression, anxiety, and
psychosis occurs.
 GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)
ANTIANXIETY This neurotransmitter has an inhibitor effect
•BENZO’S on the nervous system - it slows down
transmission of nerve impulses, relaxes
•ATIVAN muscles, and so forth.

•XANAX Benzodiazepines work by somehow activating

GABA receptors, causing the relaxing sedative
•VALIUM effect.
•LIBRIUM
•KLONOPIN
•SERAX
•RESTORIL
•HALCION
 Serotonin
ANTIDEPRESSANTS
This neurotransmitter has been
•SSRI’s
linked to mood/emotion, anxiety,
•PROZAC-SARFEM
behavior, learning, sleep, sexuality,
•ZOLOFT
appetite etc
•PAXIL
•CELEXA
•LEXAPRO
•SNRI
•CYMBALTA
•PRISTIQ
•NOVAL
•WELLBUTRIN
• Many antidepressant and anti-anxiety
medications work by blocking the reuptake of
certain neurotransmitters. By blocking this
reuptake, the medication winds up leaving the
neurotransmitters in the synapse longer, which
can increase or prolong the effect of that
neurotransmitter's "message", and also 'fix' those
broken messages that are lost in Depressive
patients - by giving those neurotransmitters more
time and more chances to be received.
 Dopamine
ANTIPSYCHOTIC This neurotransmitter is most commonly
•HALDOL known for its relationship to feelings of
'pleasure' or 'desire', but is also involved in
•THORAZINE body movement, memory, attention, and so
on
•STELAZINE * cocaine actually blocks reuptake of this
neurotransmitter as well
•PROLIXIN
•ZYPREXA
•ABILIFY
•CLOZARIL
When using these med’s be aware of EPSE
symptoms!!!
ANTICHOLINERGICS
•TREAT EPSE
•COGENTIN
•BENADRYL
•SYMMETREL

Dystonia
 Beta Blockers
ANTIHYPERTENSIVE can block this neurotransmitter at 'beta-
•BETA-BLOCKER adrenergic receptors' in the body, which
can have the affect of lowering heartrate
•PROPRANOLOL and blood pressure and producing
•ATENOLOL 'calming' affects
1 HEART 2 LUNGS
•TIMOLOL BETA 1 = HEART; BETA2 = LUNGS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
HXx9qlJetSU&feature=related
• All of these medications help million’s of
people everyday but they do not come
with out side effects
• The most dangerous/serious of all I
would say is the antipsychotics which
could have life long/irreversable
consequence (i.e Dystonia, Akathesia,
Parkinsonism and/or Tardive dyskinesia)
 • Dystonia- muscle toxicity, impaired voluntary
movement muscle spasms of the face, neck, and
back.
• Akathesia- reg. rhythmic movements, constant
pacing, body restlessness
• Parkinsonism- stiffening of muscular activity in the
body, face, arms, and legs- shuffle gait
• Tardive dyskinesia- invol. Muscle spasms typically
the tongue, fingers, toes, neck, trunk, and pelvis
http://in.truveo.com/parkinson%E2%80%99s- http://in.truveo.com/marcelle%E2%80%99s-
disease-video-dyskinesia-2/id/3159913052 message-to-shay/id/2506604946