Posted: May 16th, 2024

Module 1 Discussion Chemical Neurotransmission

Module 1 Discussion
Chemical Neurotransmission

Modern psychopharmacology is largely the story of chemical neurotransmission. One must be fluent in the language and principles of chemical neurotransmission to:

Understand the actions of drugs on the brain.
Grasp the impact of diseases upon the central nervous system.
Interpret the behavioral consequences of psychiatric medicines.
After studying Module 1: Lecture Materials & Resources, discuss the following:

Choose an FDA-approved medication currently used in psychiatry.
Explain the concept of that drug’s half-life.
How long would it take for that drug to reach a steady state?
How frequently should the medication be dosed based on the half-life?
Use Epocrates.com as a reference for this assignment.
Submission Instructions:

Your initial post should be at least 500 words, formatted and cited in current APA style with support from at least 2 academic sources. Your initial post is worth 8 points.
You should respond to at least two of your peers by extending, refuting/correcting, or adding additional nuance to their posts. Your reply posts are worth 2 points (1 point per response.)
All replies must be constructive and use literature where possible.
Please post your initial response by 11:59 PM ET Thursday, and comment on the posts of two classmates by 11:59 PM ET Sunday.
Late work policies, expectations regarding proper citations, acceptable means of responding to peer feedback, and other expectations are at the discretion of the instructor.
You can expect feedback from the instructor within 48 to 72 hours from the Sunday due date.

Grading Rubric

Your assignment will be graded according to the grading rubric.

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Fluoxetine (Prozac) is an FDA-approved antidepressant medication commonly prescribed in psychiatry to treat major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and other conditions (Epocrates, 2023). As a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), fluoxetine works by blocking the reuptake of serotonin into presynaptic neurons, thereby increasing serotonin levels in the synaptic cleft and enhancing serotonergic neurotransmission (Stahl, 2021).
The half-life of a drug refers to the time it takes for the plasma concentration of the drug to be reduced by half (Birkett, 2020). Fluoxetine has a unique pharmacokinetic profile, with a relatively long half-life compared to other SSRIs. The half-life of fluoxetine is approximately 1-3 days (24-72 hours), while its active metabolite, norfluoxetine, has an even longer half-life of 7-15 days (168-360 hours) (Altamura et al., 2020; Epocrates, 2023).
Due to its long half-life, fluoxetine takes a considerable amount of time to reach steady state levels in the body. Steady state is achieved when the rate of drug elimination equals the rate of drug administration, resulting in consistent plasma concentrations over time (Birkett, 2020). For fluoxetine, steady state is typically reached after continuous dosing for approximately 4-5 weeks (28-35 days) (Altamura et al., 2020).
The extended half-life of fluoxetine allows for less frequent dosing compared to other antidepressants. In clinical practice, fluoxetine is usually administered as a once-daily dose (Epocrates, 2023). This convenient dosing regimen can improve patient adherence and reduce the risk of missed doses (Sansone & Sansone, 2019). However, it is essential to note that the initial dosage and any subsequent adjustments should be determined by a qualified healthcare provider based on individual patient factors and treatment response.
In conclusion, fluoxetine is a widely prescribed antidepressant with a long half-life of 1-3 days, while its active metabolite, norfluoxetine, has a half-life of 7-15 days. Due to its extended half-life, fluoxetine reaches steady state after approximately 4-5 weeks of continuous dosing and is typically administered once daily. Understanding the concept of half-life and its implications for dosing is crucial for healthcare professionals to optimize pharmacotherapy and improve patient outcomes in psychiatric practice.
Bibliography:
Altamura, A. C., Caldiroli, A., & Buoli, M. (2020). Pharmacokinetic evaluation of fluoxetine for the treatment of anxiety disorders. Expert Opinion on Drug Metabolism & Toxicology, 16(6), 531-541. https://doi.org/10.1080/17425255.2020.1758068
Birkett, D. J. (2020). Pharmacokinetics made easy: Revised edition. McGraw Hill Medical.
Epocrates. (2023). Fluoxetine (Prozac). Retrieved May 16, 2024, from https://online.epocrates.com/drugs/6618/fluoxetine
Sansone, R. A., & Sansone, L. A. (2019). Antidepressant adherence: Are patients taking their medications? Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience, 9(5-6), 41-46. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3398686/
Stahl, S. M. (2021). Stahl’s essential psychopharmacology: Neuroscientific basis and practical applications (5th ed.). Cambridge University Press.

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