Antipsychotic Medication Flashcards
What are antipsychotics?
medication used to treat forms of psychosis in an individual
What are typical antipsychotics?
first generation antipsychotics that act as a dopamine receptor antagonist
What are typical antipsychotics indicated for?
-acute psychosis
-psychotic disorders e.g schizophrenia
-effective for treating the positive symptoms of schizophrenia NOT the negative symptoms
-an increase amount of dopamine in the brain is thought to contribute to the cause of psychosis
Explain the role of dopamine receptors in terms of typical antipsychotics
Dopamine 1 (D1):
Dopamine 2 (D2):
-Typical antipsychotics work by antagonising postsynaptic D2 receptor sites, this blocks dopamine transmission and decreases the amount of dopamine in the brain therefore eliminating the symptoms of psychosis
What are some examples of typical antipsychotics?
-haloperidol
-chlorpromazine
-thioridazine
-flupentixol
What are depots?
they are long-acting sustained release injectable antipsychotic medication
-administered every two to four weeks
-ensures people recieve their prescribed antipsychotic
-people may choose to have depots for convenience
What are nursing considerations for depots?
- Adverse effects can take longer to appear and resolve
- Can be a traumatic method of medication administration
- Dignity, respect, and privacy must be upheld at all times
- Client communication and education is essential
What are some adverse effects of typical antipsychotics?
Typical antipsychotics can cause severe adverse effects as they have additional effects at the synapse resulting in movement disorders; these are known as extrapyramidal effects; these include:
1. Extrapyramidal effects:
-tardive dyskinesia; involuntary muscle movements (rolling of the tongue or lip smacking)
-akathisia; restlessness or agitation
-acute dystonia’s; muscle spasms
-parkinsonism
2. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome:
-life threatening
What are the signs and symptoms of typical antipsychotics?
-hyperthermia
-mental status changes
-muscle rigidity
-autonomic instability
What is the nursing management for typical antipsychotics?
- assessing for signs and symptoms
- escalating and initiating immediate care
- ceasing antipsychotics medications
- supportive therapy and close monitoring
- potential transfer to ICU
What are atypical antipsychotics?
second generation antipsychotics that act on serotonin dopamine antagonists
What are atypical antipsychotics indicated for?
-acute psychosis
-bipolar disorder; acute mania or as maintenance therapy
-psychotic disorders; schizophrenia
-effective for treating the positive symptoms and negative symptoms of schizophrenia also
Explain the role of dopamine receptors in terms of atypical antipsychotics
Atypical antipsychotics have an effect on dopamine by antagonising D2 receptor sites, thus reducing the amount of dopamine and thereby treats the symptoms of psychosis
-although unlike typical antipsychotics, atypical antipsychotics also block serotonin receptors and therefore exert an effect over serotonin levels, this makes the mechanism of action different to that of typical antipsychotics
What are some adverse effects of antipsychotics?
-sedation
-anticholinergic effect (impaired concentration and memory impairment)
-hypotension
-prolonged QT interval
-impaired glucose tolerance
-weight gain
-neuroleptic malignant syndrome
What are some examples of atypical antipsychotics?
-olanzapine
-risperidone
-quetiapine
-clozapine
What are some adverse effects of atypical antipsychotics?
Atypical antipsychotics are less likely to cause extrapyramidal effects and neuroleptic malignant syndrome compared to typical antipsychotics (however they still have the potential to cause these adverse effects)
-sedation
-constipation
-dizziness
-increased hunger which can lead to weight gain
-anticholinergic effects; such as a dry mouth, orthostatic hypertension, blurred vision and tachycardia
-cardiac effects; arrhythmias and ECG changes
metabolic syndrome: a complication of weight gain atypical antipsychotics can cause
What are signs and symptoms of metabolic syndrome?
- hypertension
- hyperglycaemia
- hyperlipidaemia
- central obesity