Psychiatric Drug Introduction Psychiatric medications can be broken down into the following categories Antidepressants Antipsychotics Bipolar Medications Anxiolytics Overview Buproprion mechanism ↑ NE and dopamine via unknown mechanism other uses smoking cessation toxicity stimulant effects (tachycardia, insomnia) headache seizure in bulimic patients no sexual side effects Mirtazapine mechanism α2 receptor antagonist ↑ release of NE and serotonin 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 receptor antagonist other uses depression + anorexia nervosa due to weight gain side effect toxicity sedation, ↑ appetite, weight gain, dry mouth Amoxapine mechanism antagonism of dopamine receptor toxicity EPS, seizures, cardiotoxicity Maprotiline mechanism blocks NE reuptake toxicity sedation, orthostatic hypotension, seizures, cardiotoxicity Trazodone mechanism primarily inhibits serotonin reuptake other uses causes sedation therefore used for insomnia high doses are needed for antidepressant effects toxicity sedation, nausea, priapism in adolescent boys, orthostatic hypotension