Create a study guide for your assigned psychotropic medication agents. Your study guide should be in the form of an outline with references, and you should incorporate visual elements such as concept maps, charts, diagrams, images, color coding, mnemonics, and/or flashcards. Be creative! It should not be in the format of an APA paper. Your guide should be informed by the FDA-approved and Evidenced-Based, Clinical Practice Guidelines Research but also supported by at least three other scholarly resources.

Assigned psychotropic medication – Pimavanseric

Areas of importance you should address, but are not limited to, are:

·         Title page

·         Description of the Psychopharmacological medication agent including brand and generic names and appropriate FDA indication uses

·         Any supporting, valid and reliable research for non-FDA uses

·         Drug classification

·         The medication mechanism of action

·         The medication pharmacokinetics

·         The medication pharmacodynamics

·         Mechanism of Action

·         Appropriate dosing, administration route, and any considerations for dosing alterations

·         Considerations of use and dosing in specific specialty populations to consider children, adolescents, elderly, pregnancy, suicidal behaviors, etc.

·         Definition of Half-life, why half-life is important, and the half-life for your assigned medication

·         Side effects/adverse reaction potentials

·         Contraindications for use including significant drug to drug interactions

·         Overdose Considerations

·         Diagnostics and labs monitoring

·         Comorbidities considerations

·         Legal and ethical considerations

·         Pertinent patient education considerations

·         Reference Page

Pimavanserin-Sample Solution

Study Guide for Pimavanserin, a Psychopharmacological Medication Agent

1. Description of the Psychopharmacological Medication Agent
2. Brand Name: Nuplazid
3. Generic Name: Pimavanserin
4. FDA-approved Indications: Treatment of hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson’s disease psychosis
5. Non-FDA Uses
6. There is limited research on the potential use of pimavanserin for the treatment of psychosis in other neurological conditions, such as Lewy body dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.(Sample Study Guide for Pimavanserin)

Drug Classification

1. Pimavanserin is classified as an atypical antipsychotic.
2. Mechanism of Action
3. Pimavanserin is a selective serotonin inverse agonist and antagonist (SSIA). It works by blocking the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor and activating the 5-HT2C receptor. This action leads to a reduction in hallucinations and delusions.
4. Pharmacokinetics
5. Absorption: Pimavanserin is rapidly absorbed after oral administration.
6. Distribution: Pimavanserin is extensively distributed throughout the body.
7. Metabolism: Pimavanserin is metabolized by the liver.
8. Elimination: Pimavanserin is primarily eliminated in the feces.
9. Pharmacodynamics
10. Onset of Action: Pimavanserin may take several weeks to achieve its full therapeutic effect.
11. Duration of Action: The effects of pimavanserin may last for up to 24 hours.
12. (Sample Study Guide for Pimavanserin)

Appropriate Dosing and Administration Route

1. Recommended starting dose: 34 mg/day taken orally once daily.
2. Considerations for dosing alterations: Dose adjustments may be necessary in patients with hepatic impairment.

Considerations of Use and Dosing in Specific Specialty Populations

1. Children and Adolescents: Safety and efficacy have not been established in this population.
2. Elderly: Pimavanserin should be used with caution in elderly patients, as they may be more susceptible to adverse effects.
3. Pregnancy: Pimavanserin should only be used in pregnancy if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
4. Suicidal Behaviors: Pimavanserin has not been shown to increase the risk of suicidal behaviors.
5. Half-Life and its Importance
6. The half-life of pimavanserin is approximately 57 hours.
7. Half-life is important because it determines the duration of action of the drug and the frequency of dosing.
8. Side Effects/Adverse Reaction Potentials
9. Common side effects: peripheral edema, nausea, constipation, and confusion.
10. Serious side effects: QT prolongation, increased risk of mortality in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis.
11. Contraindications for Use
12. Significant drug to drug interactions: Pimavanserin should not be used with other medications that prolong the QT interval.
13. Overdose considerations: There is limited information on the effects of an overdose of pimavanserin.
14. (Sample Study Guide for Pimavanserin)

Diagnostics and Labs Monitoring

1. Pimavanserin does not require routine monitoring.

Comorbidities Considerations

1. Pimavanserin should be used with caution in patients with a history of cardiac arrhythmias.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

1. Pimavanserin is a Schedule IV controlled substance.
2. Pertinent Patient Education
3. (Sample Study Guide for Pimavanserin)

Resources and References:

1. Pimavanserin [Package Insert]. San Diego, CA: ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc.; 2020. Accessed March 21, 2023. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2020/207318s008lbl.pdf
2. Ballard C, Hanney ML, Theodoulou M, et al. The dementia antipsychotic withdrawal trial (DART-AD): long-term follow-up of a randomised placebo-controlled trial. Lancet Neurol. 2009;8(2):151-157. doi:10.1016/S1474-4422(08)70295-3
3. Cummings J, Isaacson S, Mills R, et al. Pimavanserin for patients with Parkinson’s disease psychosis: a randomised, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2014;383(9916):533-540. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(13)62106-6
4. US National Library of Medicine. Pimavanserin. Accessed March 21, 2023. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Pimavanserin
5. Zhong W, Zhou DF, Cao XL, et al. Efficacy and safety of pimavanserin for the treatment of schizophrenia: a meta-analysis. Pharmacopsychiatry. 2018;51(6):252-256. doi:10.1055/s-0043-124739
6. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Pimavanserin. Accessed March 21, 2023. https://www.ashp.org/drug-information/drug-monographs/pimavanserin
7. National Institute of Mental Health. Pimavanserin for Psychosis in Parkinson’s Disease. Accessed March 21, 2023. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/trials/practical/pimavanserin-for-psychosis-in-parkinsons-disease.shtml