Antipsychotic Drugs Flashcards
Which derivatives of antipsychotic drugs have the most side effects?
Group 3 Phenothiazines (The Piperazines)
Butyrophenones (e.g. Haloperidol)
First Generation Depot Preparations
According to the BNF what are the groups of EPS that are caused by Antipsychotics?
Parkinsonium Symptoms
Dystonia and Dyskinesia
Akathisia
Tardive Dyskinesia
Which is the most serious of all EPS and why?
Tardive Dyskinesia
Potentially irreversible and untreatable on withdrawal
Tremors fall into which group of EPS?
Parkinsonium Symptoms
What is the medical term for the EPS restlessness?
Akathisia
What is Akathisia?
Restlessness and a kind of EPS
What is Tardive Dyskinesia?
Rhythmic, involuntary movements of the tongue, face and jaw.
Other than EPS what other adverse effects can antipsychotics cause?
Hyperprolactinaemia
Sexual dysfunction
Cardiovascular side effects
Hyperglycaemia
Hypotension and interference with temperature control
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
Blood dyscrasias (an abnormal or disordered state)
What is the standard length of time allowed for the antipsychotic medication to work?
4-6 weeks before being deemed ineffective and a change made
Why is it recommended not to prescribe more than one antipsychotic drug at a time?
Increased risk of adverse events: -
EPS, QT-Interval prolongation and sudden cardiac death
What tests are carried out at start of therapy?
FBC
U&Es
Liver function
How often are FBC/U&E’s/Liver function tested whilst on antipsychotic therapy?
Annually
In addition to FBC/U&Es/Liver function what other tests are taken at baseline?
Blood lipids
Weight
Fasting Glucose
How long after starting treatment should fasting glucose be re-checked?
4-6 months then annually thereafter
How long after starting treatment should blood lipids be checked?
3 months then annually thereafter
