Antipsychotics Flashcards
mneumonic for counselling antipsychotics (any drug)
Action
Timeline (OD/QDS)
How to take it (PO)
Length of Tx
Effects (Pros + how long before +)
Tests to monitor
Important SE
Complications + Contraindications
How do antipsychotics work (for Pt)
Imbalance of your feel good hormone dopamine + sometimes your happy hormone (serotonin).
Antipsychotics / Lithium looks to stabilise these and make it so these episodes of psychosis occur less
4 benefits of taking antipsychotics
Reduce hallucinations
Reduce anxiety
Increased concentration
Less confusion
Typical SE / Cons of taking antipsychotics (not risks) (5)
Weight gain
More sleepy
Reduction in Sexual Function
Sugar levels get worse
N+V
What is a common risk of all antipsychotics
QTC prolongation => Torsades des pontes
What is the risk of Haloperidol?
Extrapyramidal Symptoms
=> Restlessness
=> Abnormal facial movements / contractions
=> Muscle spasms
What is the specific risk in Clozapine?
Infection risk as reduction in immunity
What initial assessment is done for antipsychotics
BP
HR / ECG
Weight
When do you bring in a patient for assessment in antipsychotics?
3months in
12 months in
Name a 1st generation Antipsychotic
Haloperidol
Name 2 2nd generation antipsychotics
Clozapine
Risperidone
akathisia>?
Inability to keep still (restlessness)
If patient is having a manic episode and they are on sertraline, what should we do?
Stop sertraline
start onlazapine / haloperidol
