Nclex review for the week: Antidepressants 💯💯💯💯💯💯💯🧠 Memory Trick for Side Effects Here’s your golden mnemonic: A-B-C-D! A — Anticholinergic effects B — Blurred vision and Bladder distention C — Constipation D — Dry mouth and Drowsiness And don’t forget the add-ons: weight gain and low blood pressure. Anytime you see these on NCLEX and the med ends with “-line” or “-mine,” think antidepressant side effects right away! 💊 Now, let’s jump into the meds! ✨ 1. SSRIs — the “happy hormone helpers.” When you hear SSRIs, think Sertraline and all the “-XET” drugs — fluOXETine, paroXETine. They raise serotonin levels but take 2–4 weeks to work, so remind patients: “You might not feel better right away — stay consistent!” ⚠️ Watch for serotonin syndrome — fever, agitation, tremor, and sweating. 🚫 Never mix with MAOIs or St. John’s Wort — that can cause serotonin overload! 🧀 2. MAOIs — the old-school danger zone. Think Phenelzine and Tranylcypromine. They’re the only antidepressants with food restrictions! Avoid tyramine-rich foods like aged cheese, wine, beer, and smoked meats — unless you want a hypertensive crisis! But here’s your food hack: safe with most fresh fruits and veggies — except the BARs — Bananas, Avocados, and Raisins. And remember: always have a 2-week washout period before switching to another antidepressant. 💤 3. Tricyclics — the “TRI” meds. Think AmiTRIptyline and ImIpramIne — spot the three I’s for TRIcyclic! These are sedating, so take them at bedtime. Toxicity alert 🚨 — look for wide QRS or arrhythmia — that’s cardiac toxicity on NCLEX! 😎 4. Atypicals — the cool kids. Bupropion helps with depression and smoking cessation — but skip it for patients with seizure or eating disorders. Trazodone helps you sleep, but beware of priapism — a prolonged erection that’s a medical emergency! 🔥 Final NCLEX Reminders: Antidepressants take time — encourage consistency. Always assess for suicid@l @thoughts with dose changes. Never stop abruptly. And remember: SSRIs are first-line, MAOIs are the old-school danger zone! 🎯 “And that’s your antidepressant power review! Master the ABCD side effects, connect the med names, and you’ll breeze through those NCLEX psych questions like a pro nurse!” 💪🩺 #nclex #nurse #nursingstudent #medicalstudent #antidepressants - @nerdcriticalcare