Medications can significantly alter brain chemistry to restore balance and improve symptoms. Antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and anxiolytics are common medications that nurses administer and monitor. Understanding how these medications work helps nurses anticipate potential side effects and educate patients effectively.
Antidepressants Antidepressants, such as SSRIs and SNRIs, work by increasing levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. They are used to treat depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders.
Antipsychotics Antipsychotics target dopamine and serotonin receptors to manage symptoms of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. These medications can have significant side effects, such as weight gain and metabolic changes, which require careful monitoring.
Mood Stabilizers Mood stabilizers like lithium and valproate are used in the treatment of bipolar disorder. They help to stabilize mood swings by affecting various neurotransmitter systems.
