Examkin

Question

Difficulty: EasyPsychopharmacology and Psychological Therapies

Match each psychotropic medication with its most characteristic adverse effect, specific monitoring requirement, or clinical contraindication.

  • LamotrigineRisk of severe cutaneous adverse reactions, requiring slow dose titration
  • BupropionContraindicated in patients with bulimia nervosa due to lowered seizure threshold
  • LithiumAssociated with polyuria, polydipsia, and impaired renal concentrating ability
  • ClozapineRequires regular absolute neutrophil count (ANC) monitoring

Answer

Lamotrigine matches with severe cutaneous adverse reactions; Bupropion with contraindication in bulimia nervosa; Lithium with impaired renal concentrating ability; and Clozapine with absolute neutrophil count monitoring.
Each listed psychotropic medication has a classic and highly tested adverse effect profile. Lamotrigine requires very slow titration to avoid Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Bupropion lowers the seizure threshold and is specifically contraindicated in patients with eating disorders. Lithium frequently causes nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, presenting with polyuria and polydipsia. Clozapine requires strict ANC monitoring due to the known risk of potentially fatal agranulocytosis.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze Lamotrigine's primary adverse effect profile.
Identify that it requires slow titration to prevent life-threatening rashes like Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
This is a key clinical safety consideration when initiating Lamotrigine for bipolar disorder.
2
Recall the major contraindications for Bupropion.
Identify that it is contraindicated in bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa.
Electrolyte disturbances commonly seen in eating disorders compound Bupropion's known dose-dependent lowering of the seizure threshold.
3
Identify the primary renal toxicity associated with Lithium.
Match Lithium with polyuria, polydipsia, and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus.
Lithium antagonizes antidiuretic hormone action in the kidney, leading to an inability to concentrate urine.
4
Determine the required safety monitoring protocol for Clozapine.
Match Clozapine with absolute neutrophil count (ANC) monitoring.
Because Clozapine can cause potentially fatal agranulocytosis, strict hematologic monitoring is mandated.

Key Concept

Recognizing classic adverse effects, contraindications, and required monitoring for major psychotropic medications
Rate this question

Topics

Psychopharmacology and Psychological Therapies

More questions from this topic