Psychotropic Medications
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Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs):
- Examples: Fluoxetine (Prozac), Sertraline (Zoloft), Escitalopram (Lexapro)
- Side effects: Nausea, headache, sexual dysfunction, insomnia, weight gain, gastrointestinal disturbances.
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Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs):
- Examples: Venlafaxine (Effexor), Duloxetine (Cymbalta), Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)
- Side effects: Similar to SSRIs, plus increased blood pressure, sweating, and risk of serotonin syndrome.
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Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs):
- Examples: Amitriptyline (Elavil), Nortriptyline (Pamelor), Imipramine (Tofranil)
- Side effects: Dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, urinary retention, weight gain, sedation, cardiac effects (e.g., arrhythmias), orthostatic hypotension.
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Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs):
- Examples: Phenelzine (Nardil), Tranylcypromine (Parnate), Isocarboxazid (Marplan)
- Side effects: Hypertensive crisis (if consumed with tyramine-containing foods), dizziness, headache, insomnia, weight gain, sexual dysfunction, gastrointestinal disturbances.
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Atypical Antipsychotics:
- Examples: Risperidone (Risperdal), Quetiapine (Seroquel), Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
- Side effects: Weight gain, metabolic effects (e.g., diabetes risk), sedation, extrapyramidal symptoms (e.g., tardive dyskinesia), hyperprolactinemia, cardiovascular effects.
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Benzodiazepines:
- Examples: Diazepam (Valium), Lorazepam (Ativan), Alprazolam (Xanax)
- Side effects: Sedation, drowsiness, confusion, cognitive impairment, respiratory depression, dependence, withdrawal symptoms.
Non-Psychotropic Prescriptions
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Antihypertensive Medications:
- Examples: Amlodipine (Norvasc), Lisinopril (Prinivil), Metoprolol (Lopressor)
- Side effects: Dizziness, hypotension, headache, fatigue, cough, electrolyte imbalances.
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Antihyperlipidemic Medications (for Cholesterol):
- Examples: Atorvastatin (Lipitor), Simvastatin (Zocor), Rosuvastatin (Crestor)
- Side effects: Muscle pain or weakness (myopathy), liver dysfunction, gastrointestinal disturbances.
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Antidiabetic Medications:
- Examples: Metformin (Glucophage), Glipizide (Glucotrol), Insulin (various types)
- Side effects: Hypoglycemia, gastrointestinal disturbances, weight gain, lactic acidosis (with metformin).
Over-the-Counter Medications
- Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs):
- Examples: Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), Naproxen (Aleve), Aspirin
- Side effects: Gastric irritation, ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding, renal impairment, increased cardiovascular risk.
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Antihistamines:
- Examples: Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), Loratadine (Claritin), Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
- Side effects: Drowsiness, dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, constipation.
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Acetaminophen (Tylenol):
- Side effects: Liver toxicity (with overdose), gastrointestinal disturbances (rare), allergic reactions.
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Laxatives:
- Examples: Psyllium (Metamucil), Bisacodyl (Dulcolax), Polyethylene glycol (Miralax)
- Side effects: Abdominal cramps, diarrhea, electrolyte imbalances, dependency.
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Antacids:
- Examples: Calcium carbonate (Tums), Aluminum hydroxide (Maalox), Magnesium hydroxide (Milk of Magnesia)
- Side effects: Constipation (with aluminum-based antacids), diarrhea (with magnesium-based antacids), electrolyte imbalances.
On the Exam
Questions on the ASWB exam covering this material might look like this--or a vignette variation on one of these:
- Which class of medications is typically prescribed to treat schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders?
- Which of the following is a potential side effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)?
- Which of the following medications is commonly used to treat opioid addiction and prevent relapse?
Get questions on this topic and many, many others when you sign up for Social Work Test Prep's full-length practice tests.
Whether or not this next ASWB exam topic shows up on the exam or not, it will show up--and fast--in your day-to-day social work life: Common psychotropic and non-psychotropic prescriptions and over-the-counter medications and their side effects. There's a lot to know and a lot worth knowing. Let's take a look a the basics and how the topic may appear on the licensing exam.