High-Yield Psychiatric Drugs: Antipsychotics, Lithium, and SSRIs

Psychotropic medications alter neurochemistry. In exams, you are frequently tested on monitoring side effects and identifying toxic reactions.

Lithium Carbonate

• Indication: Bipolar manic-depressive illness.
• Therapeutic Level: 0.6 - 1.2 mEq/L (Narrow margin).
• Toxicity (> 1.5 mEq/L): Coarse tremors, diarrhea, vomiting, ataxia, slurred speech.
• Nursing Note: Keep sodium intake consistent; low sodium increases lithium levels, risking toxicity.

First-Generation Antipsychotics (e.g., Haloperidol)

• Side Effect: Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS - dystonia, akathisia, parkinsonism, tardive dyskinesia).
• Adverse Reaction: Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) - fever, muscle rigidity, autonomic instability, and altered mental status.