Antipsychotics Flashcards
1st generation/typical antipsychotics
These medications have been used
since the 1950s. These were the first type of antipsychotics made.
- chlorpromazine (Largactil)
- flupentixol (Depixol)
- haloperidol (Haldol)
- levomepromazine (Nozinan)
- pericyazine
- perphenazine (Fentazin)
- pimozide (Orap)
- prochlorperazine
- promazine
- sulpiride (Dolmatil, Sulpor)
- trifluperazine (Stelazine)
- zuclopenthixol (Clopixol)
2nd generation/atypical antipsychotics
These medications have been used
since the 1990s. These are newer types of antipsychotics.
- amisulpride (Solian)
- aripiprazole (Abilify, Abilify Maintena)
- clozapine (Clozaril, Denzapine, Zaponex)
- lurasidone (Latuda)
- risperidone (Risperdal & Risperdal Consta)
- olanzapine (Zypadhera. Zyprexa)
- quetiapine (Seroquel, Seroquel XL)
- paliperidone (Invega, Xeplion)
What is the main difference between 1st and 2nd gen antipsychotics?
The main difference is their side effects. Newer antipsychotics tend to have less of a effect on body movements than the old ones. This doesn’t mean that the newer antipsychotics don’t have any movement side effects.
How can antipsychotics be taken?
- tablets
- syrup
- injection (depot)
What is different about clozapine?
Clozapine is usually given to people who are treatment resistant (other medication hasn’t helped to reduce or control symptoms). The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) says that people with schizophrenia should only be offered clozapine after having tried 2 other antipsychotics.
What can clozapine cause?
Clozapine can cause your white blood cell numbers to drop. But this is rare. If your white blood cells drop, this may mean you can get infections more easily. If you take clozapine, you will need regular blood tests (approx once a year) to make sure your white blood cell count is healthy.
What happens if your white blood cell count drops whilst taking clozapine?
If your white blood cell numbers start dropping, you will be asked to stop taking the medication. You will have another blood test after you have stopped clozapine to make sure they are back to normal. Your doctor
might decide to change your dose of clozapine or offer you another type of medication.
What is amisulpride used for?
- acute psychotic episode in schizophrenia
- schizophrenia with predominately negative symptoms
What oral dose of amisulpride is used for treating an acute psychotic episode in schizophrenia in adults?
400–800 mg daily in 2 divided doses, adjusted according to response; maximum 1.2 g per day.
What oral dose of amisulpride is used for treating schizophrenia with predominately negative symptoms in adults?
50–300 mg daily
What is the name of a rare side effect of antipsychotics?
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)
What is Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)?
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome is a rare but very serious and potentially life-threatening side effect of some medications, in particular antipsychotics. The cause of NMS is not known but it is most commonly linked to medicines which block and stop the brain chemical dopamine from working properly.
Signs and symptoms of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
- High temperature and fever
- Unstable blood pressure
- Excessive sweating
- Drooling or dribbling
- Muscle stiffness
- Fits (seizures)
- Feeling confused and disoriented
- Faster breathing/pulse and irregular heartbeat.
1st gen anti psychotics- side effects
- EPSE: Extrapyramidal side effects (rigidity, bradykinesia- slowness of movement and also tremors)
- drowsiness
- gastro internal effects
- constipation
- weight gain
- dry mouth
2nd gen anti psychotics- side effects
- weight gain
- diabetes mellitus
- hyperlipadaemia: too many lipids (fats) in your blood (such as cholesterol and triglycerides)
- myocarditis
- reduce white blood cell count
