Personality and Mood Disorders Q 92
Which of the following medications will likely be ordered for the client?”
A. Prozac
B. Valium
C. Risperdal
D. Lithium
Correct Answer: B. Valium
Diazepam is an anxiolytic benzodiazepine, first patented and marketed in the United States in 1963. It is a fast-acting, long-lasting benzodiazepine commonly used in the treatment of anxiety disorders, as well as alcohol detoxification, acute recurrent seizures, severe muscle spasm, and spasticity associated with neurologic disorders. In the setting of acute alcohol withdrawal, diazepam is useful for symptomatic relief of agitation, tremor, alcoholic hallucinosis, and acute delirium tremens.
Option A: Fluoxetine has FDA-approval for major depressive disorder (age eight and older), obsessive-compulsive disorder (age seven and older), panic disorder, bulimia, binge eating disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, bipolar depression (as an adjunct with olanzapine also known as Symbyax), and treatment-resistant depression when used in combination with olanzapine. Non-FDA-approved uses for fluoxetine include social anxiety disorder (social phobia), post-traumatic stress disorder in adults, borderline personality disorder, Raynaud phenomenon, and selective mutism.
Option C: In addition to psychotic symptoms, risperidone can be used for aggression and agitation in patients with dementia. Risperidone has also been used for augmentation of antidepressant therapy in the treatment of non-psychotic unipolar depression. In addition to irritability associated with autism, risperidone has also been used for social impairment, stereotypical behaviors, cognitive problems, and hyperactivity in autism.
Option D: Lithium was the first mood stabilizer and is still the first-line treatment option, but is underutilized because it is an older drug. Lithium is a commonly prescribed drug for a manic episode in bipolar disorder as well as maintenance therapy of bipolar disorder in a patient with a history of a manic episode. The primary target symptoms of lithium are mania and unstable mood.