pre-operative medication. Benzodizepines include chlordiazepoxide (Librium),
diazepam (Valium), chlorazepatge dipotassium (Tranxene), oxazepam (Serax),
lorazepam (Ativan), and alprazolam (Xanax).
Depression
About 20% of Americans are depressed; however, one-third receives medical or
psychiatric help for their depression. Depression is characterized by mood
changes and loss of interest in normal activities. Patients who are depressed
might have insomnia, fatigue, a feeling of despair, and an inability to concen-
trate. Some may have suicidal thoughts. Depression is associated with two-third
of all suicides.
Depression is caused by a number of factors including genetic predisposition,
social and environmental factors, and biologic conditions such as insufficient
monoamine neurotransmitter (norepinephrine and serotonin).
CHAPTER 15 Nervous System Drugs^297
Group Sedation Hypotension EPS Antiemetic
Aliphatic +++ +++ ++ ++
(Chlorpromazine and +++
triflupromazine)
Piperazine ++ + +++ +++
Piperidine +++ +++ + –
Nonphenothiazines
Haloperidol + + +++ ++
Loxapine ++ ++ +++ –
Molindone +/++ + +++ –
Thiothixene + + +++ –
Atypical antipsychotics
Risperidone + + +/0 –Table 15-2. The effects of categories of antipsychotics.
Key: ---no effect; + mild effect; ++ moderate effect; +++severe effect