Question

Sally struggles with both ADHD and depression. She is currently taking methylphenidate and sertraline. She also drinks approximately 10 cups of coffee a day. She is now struggling with insomnia and has lost a significant amount of weight. [4 points]

A. Explain the different mechanisms of action for the drugs she is taking.

B. Do you feel that she might be experiencing any side effects based on her excessive coffee drinking? Why or why not?

C. If you were her physician, would you recommend a drug to treat insomnia? Why or why not?

Please help me answer this ( pharm )

Answer 1

A. MECHANISM OF ACTIONS:

METHYLPHENIDATE: It inhibits the absortion of dopamine in central adrenergic neurons by inhibiting the dopamine transportation, It works by arousing the brain stem and cerebral system leading it to rise in sympathomimetic activity in central nervous system.

SERTRALINE : Whereas, sertraline which is usually prescribed in depression works by inhibiting the serotonin transporter.

B. Drinking coffee usually helps you to stay alert and keep you energetic all day long, however in the case given Sally is on sertraline which is an antidepressant and one of the side effects of sertraline is insomina, therefore she may be suffering from insomnia due to the drug sertraline.

C. I would not recommend drugs to treat insomina right away as it is a case which can be treated easily by making some lifestyle changes, for example setting a specific time to sleep everyday as this will set your cercadian rhythm, by avoiding to drink coffee can also help you feel tired and fall asleep.