Discussion: Comparing and Contrasting Pharmacologic Options for the Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder Essay

Discussion: Comparing and Contrasting Pharmacologic Options for the Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder Essay

Discussion: Comparing and Contrasting Pharmacologic Options for the Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder Essay

The significance of pharmacotherapy for mental health continues to rise. This discussion will focus on the pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and therapeutic choices for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Parallel to its significance, a comprehensive understanding of GAD medication therapy increases the quality of mental health pharmacology.

ORDER A PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPER HERE ON; Discussion: Comparing and Contrasting Pharmacologic Options for the Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder Essay

Pharmacodynamics

Understanding the pharmacodynamics of SSRIs as an anxiolytic pharmacological therapy is the focal point of pharmacodynamics. The fundamental mechanism of action of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) is to decrease presynaptic reuptake of serotonin at the serotonin transporter (Edinoff et al., 2021). As a nurse practitioner becomes more knowledgeable about the mechanism of action of SSRIs, the safety and efficacy of the pharmacological therapy improve. Genetics are a factor that may impact the mechanism of SSRIs (Pogliani et al., 2017). Consequently, practitioners would use genetics into patient evaluations and tests.

Pharmacokinetics

            The pharmacokinetics of anxiolytic medications are crucial to understand and effectively factor into a patient’s pharmacology. The pharmacokinetics of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are superior to those of medications such as benzodiazepines (Crocco et al., 2017). Consequently, I chose to investigate the pharmacokinetics of SSRIs. Cytochromes, the metabolic enzyme of SSRIs, generate substantial amounts of dispersion (Pogliani et al., 2017). Practitioners are aware that the development of huge volumes permits SSRIs to reach more locations, hence increasing the drug’s safety. Age, liver function, and renal function are further aspects of SSRI pharmacokinetics to consider (Strawn et al., 2018). If the practitioner is aware that SSRIs are metabolized in the liver and their patient has liver failure, it would be dangerous to administer the drug.

Treatment Options

Exploring GAD therapy options is crucial for the mental wellness of sufferers. Concurrent psychotherapy and pharmacology is recommended, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) as the first-line pharmacological therapy due to their broad-spectrum efficacy and buspirone, benzodiazepine, SGAs, and pregabalin as second-line pharmacotherapies (Strawn et at., 2018). A patient with GAD should seek mental health therapy concurrently with pharmacological treatment; the combination of the two therapies has a greater possibility of alleviating symptoms. If the first-line therapy is ineffective, several therapeutic options are available.

Summary

 The value of information regarding pharmacology for mental health continues to rise. Nurse practitioner students can expand their knowledge of anxiolytic pharmacology through discussions of pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and therapeutic alternatives. As nursing students continue to expand their expertise, mental health pharmacotherapy progresses.

References

Crocco, E. A., Jaramillo, S., Cruz-Ortiz, C., & Camfield, K. (2017). Pharmacological management of anxiety disorders in the elderly. Current treatment options in psychiatry, 4(1), 33-46.

Edinoff, A. N., Akuly, H. A., Hanna, T. A., Ochoa, C. O., Patti, S. J., Ghaffar, Y. A., … & Kaye, A. M. (2021). Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and adverse effects: a narrative review. Neurology International, 13(3), 387-401.

Pogliani, L., Falvella, F. S., Cattaneo, D., Pileri, P., Moscatiello, A. F., Cheli, S., … & Zuccotti, G. (2017). Pharmacokinetics and pharmacogenetics of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors during pregnancy: an observational study. Therapeutic Drug Monitoring, 39(2), 197-201.

Strawn, J. R., Geracioti, L., Rajdev, N., Clemenza, K., & Levine, A. (2018). Pharmacotherapy for generalized anxiety disorder in adult and pediatric patients: an evidence-based treatment review. Expert opinion on pharmacotherapy, 19(10), 1057-1070.

BUY A CUSTOM- PAPER HERE ON; Discussion: Comparing and Contrasting Pharmacologic Options for the Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder Essay

Discussion: Comparing and Contrasting Pharmacologic Options for the Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder

To Prepare

Post a discussion of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics related to anxiolytic medications used to treat GAD. In your discussion, utilizing the discussion highlights, compare and contrast different treatment options that can be used.

• Review the Resources for this module and consider the principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
• Reflect on your experiences, observations, and/or clinical practices from the last 5 years and think about how pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic factors altered his or her anticipated response to a drug.
• Consider factors that might have influenced the patient’s pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes, such as genetics (including pharmacogenetics), gender, ethnicity, age, behavior, and/or possible pathophysiological changes due to disease.
• Think about a personalized plan of care based on these influencing factors and patient history with GAD.