Antidepressant Medications NCLEX Study Guide | NCLEX Pharmacology Made Easy

Antidepressant Medications NCLEX Study Guide | NCLEX Pharmacology Made Easy

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Antidepressants are always tested on the NCLEX® and this video breaks down everything you need to know to stay safe on exam day and in clinical practice.

✅ What You’ll Learn:
1. Core antidepressant safety rules (slow onset, suicide risk, serotonin syndrome)
2. SSRIs: sertraline, fluoxetine, paroxetine — sexual dysfunction, bleeding risk, withdrawal
3. SNRIs: duloxetine, venlafaxine — dual action, hypertension precautions
4. TCAs: amitriptyline, imipramine — cardiac toxicity, sedation, anticholinergic effects
5. MAOIs: phenelzine, selegiline — tyramine foods → hypertensive crisis
6. Others: bupropion (↓ seizure threshold), mirtazapine (sedation, weight gain)
7.Serotonin Syndrome: “Sweating, Shaking, Strange behavior” — emergency care

⏱️ Timestamps
0:00 – Intro: Antidepressants overview & NCLEX expectations
0:13 – What all antidepressants have in common
0:20 – Onset of action: takes several weeks to work
0:28 – Key teaching: consistency & patience
0:36 – NCLEX safety: suicide risk (especially in youth)
0:51 – Serotonin syndrome overview (life-threatening complication)

Serotonin Syndrome
1:15 – Causes: multiple serotonergic meds (SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs, St. John’s wort, triptans)
1:19 – The “3 S’s” of serotonin syndrome:
 • Sweating (fever, ↑HR, ↑BP)
 • Shaking (tremor, hyperreflexia, rigidity)
 • Strange behavior (agitation, confusion, hallucinations)
1:45 – NCLEX emergency: hold meds & notify provider
2:03 – Avoid St. John’s wort with antidepressants

SSRIs – Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
2:22 – SSRIs explained: citalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline
2:41 – Why they’re first-line: depression & anxiety
2:48 – Common side effects: GI upset, sexual dysfunction, sleep disturbance
3:10 – Rare risk: ↑ bleeding (esp. with NSAIDs or anticoagulants)
3:28 – Teaching: do not stop abruptly → withdrawal symptoms
3:50 – Reminder: takes weeks to work, stay consistent

SNRIs – Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors
4:00 – Examples: duloxetine, venlafaxine
4:12 – Dual action: serotonin + norepinephrine
4:18 – Used for depression & neuropathic pain (fibromyalgia, diabetic neuropathy)
4:22 – Side effects: GI upset, insomnia, ↑ blood pressure
4:35 – Nursing priority: check baseline BP & avoid if hypertensive

NCLEX Quick Check #1
4:54 – How long for antidepressants to work? (weeks)
5:09 – Main safety risk? (suicidal ideation early in therapy)
5:26 – Serotonin syndrome 3 S’s
5:42 – Avoid St. John’s wort

TCAs – Tricyclic Antidepressants
5:52 – Examples: amitriptyline, imipramine, nortriptyline
6:04 – Major risk: cardiac toxicity & fatal overdose
6:16 – ECG before starting; never double doses
6:26 – Common side effect: orthostatic hypotension
6:39 – Anticholinergic side effects: dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention
6:50 – Nursing care: fluids, fiber, sugar-free candy, slow position changes
6:54 – Sedation → best taken at bedtime

MAOIs – Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
7:03 – Examples: isocarboxazid, phenelzine, selegiline
7:14 – Rarely used but high-yield on NCLEX
7:24 – Major danger: hypertensive crisis (pounding headache)
7:27 – Avoid tyramine foods: aged cheese, salami, beer, wine
8:03 – Serotonin syndrome risk: do not mix with SSRIs, TCAs, St. John’s wort, triptans
8:28 – 2-week washout period before starting new antidepressant

Other Antidepressants
8:43 – Bupropion (Wellbutrin): ↑ dopamine & norepinephrine
8:57 – Lowers seizure threshold → avoid in seizure disorders, eating disorders, alcohol withdrawal
9:10 – Mirtazapine: promotes sleep & appetite → sedation & weight gain
9:17 – Avoid mixing with alcohol or CNS depressants

NCLEX Quick Check #2
9:39 – Foods to avoid with MAOIs → tyramine (aged cheese, salami, wine)
9:54 – Who should not take bupropion? → clients with seizures or eating disorders
10:01 – Wrap-up: antidepressants NCLEX review summary

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