14.6.1 Drug Therapies

• Drug therapies for stress include anxiolytics, antidepressants, and beta-blockers
• What is the primary mechanism of action of anxiolytics like diazepam?

  Enhance GABA activity
• Antidepressants such as fluoxetine increase the levels of serotonin
• Beta-blockers reduce physical symptoms of stress by blocking the effects of adrenaline on the heart.
• Steps in the mechanism of action of benzodiazepines

  1️⃣ GABA binds to its receptors

  2️⃣ Chloride ion channels open

  3️⃣ Cl ions enter neurons

  4️⃣ Neurons hyperpolarize

  5️⃣ Brain activity is reduced
• What is a major risk associated with long-term use of benzodiazepines?

  Physical dependency
• Match the drug type with its mechanism:

  Anxiolytics ↔️ Enhance GABA activity

  Antidepressants ↔️ Increase serotonin levels

  Beta-blockers ↔️ Block adrenaline effects
• Benzodiazepines reduce neuronal excitability by allowing $Cl^ -$ ions to enter neurons.
• What is a common side effect of benzodiazepines?

  Drowsiness
• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) block the reabsorption of serotonin
• SSRIs are commonly used to treat depression and anxiety by increasing serotonin levels in the brain.
• What is a common gastrointestinal side effect of SSRIs?

  Nausea
• Match the drug type with its side effects:

  Anxiolytics ↔️ Drowsiness, memory loss

  Antidepressants ↔️ Sexual dysfunction, insomnia

  Beta-blockers ↔️ Fatigue, dizziness
• Which drug type enhances GABA activity to reduce anxiety?

  Anxiolytics
• Antidepressants increase the levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin
• Beta-blockers reduce stress by blocking the effects of adrenaline on the heart.
• What is the primary usage of anxiolytics?

  Short-term anxiety relief
• Beta-blockers are used to reduce physical symptoms like a rapid heart rate
• How many main types of drug therapies are used for stress?

  Three
• Anxiolytics reduce anxiety by enhancing the activity of GABA
• Antidepressants increase neurotransmitters like serotonin.
• What effects do beta-blockers have on the heart?

  Block adrenaline effects
• Anxiolytics are used for short-term anxiety relief.
• Steps in the action of benzodiazepines to reduce stress symptoms

  1️⃣ Enhance GABA activity

  2️⃣ Open chloride ion channels

  3️⃣ Allow Cl^ - ions to enter neurons

  4️⃣ Hyperpolarize neurons

  5️⃣ Reduce neuronal excitability

  6️⃣ Calm the brain
• Long-term use of benzodiazepines can lead to physical dependency.
• What is a major risk associated with benzodiazepines?

  High potential for dependency
• SSRIs block the reabsorption of serotonin
• What is a benefit of using SSRIs?

  Reduction in anxiety
• Nausea is a common side effect of SSRIs.
• Match the drug type with its key risks:

  Anxiolytics ↔️ Dependency

  Antidepressants ↔️ Serotonin syndrome

  Beta-blockers ↔️ Hypotension
• What is a common side effect of beta-blockers?

  Fatigue
• What are the two general aspects associated with drug therapies for stress?

  Side effects and risks
• Anxiolytics can cause drowsiness, impaired coordination, and memory loss as common side effects.
• The key risks of anxiolytics include tolerance, dependency, and withdrawal
• What are some common side effects of antidepressants?

  Nausea, insomnia, weight changes
• Antidepressants combined with other medications can lead to serotonin syndrome.
• Beta-blockers can cause fatigue, dizziness, and bradycardia, which means a slow heartbeat
• Why do drug therapies for stress have different side effect profiles?

  Varying mechanisms of action
• Match the drug type with its common side effects:

  Anxiolytics ↔️ Drowsiness, impaired coordination

  Antidepressants ↔️ Nausea, sexual dysfunction

  Beta-Blockers ↔️ Fatigue, dizziness, cold extremities
• Anxiolytics like diazepam enhance the activity of the neurotransmitter GABA