Antipsychotics Flashcards
Q: What is psychosis?
A: A condition where perception of reality is altered, often including hallucinations, delusions, and confused thoughts.
Q: What are common causes of psychosis?
A: Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, severe depression, drug abuse, neurodegenerative diseases.
Q: What is the dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia?
A: Overactivity of dopamine in the mesolimbic pathway leads to positive symptoms, while underactivity in the mesocortical pathway leads to negative symptoms.
Q: What are the two main classes of antipsychotics?
First-generation (typical) antipsychotics – Primarily block D2 receptors (e.g., Haloperidol).
Second-generation (atypical) antipsychotics – Act on D2 and 5-HT2A receptors (e.g., Olanzapine).
Q: What is the mechanism of action of typical antipsychotics?
Q: Name three typical antipsychotics.
Q: What are common side effects of typical antipsychotics?
A: They block dopamine D2 receptors, reducing positive symptoms of schizophrenia.
Haloperidol, Chlorpromazine, Zuclopenthixol.
Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS): Acute dystonia, parkinsonism, tardive dyskinesia.
Hyperprolactinaemia: Causes breast swelling, lactation.
Sedation & weight gain: Due to histamine receptor effects.
Q: How do atypical antipsychotics differ from typical ones?
Q: Name four commonly used atypical antipsychotics.
Q: Why is Clozapine only used for treatment-resistant schizophrenia?
Q: What are common side effects of atypical antipsychotics?
A: They block D2 and 5-HT2A receptors, reducing EPS and treating both positive and negative symptoms.
A: Quetiapine, Olanzapine, Risperidone, Aripiprazole.
A: It has a high risk of agranulocytosis, myocarditis, and metabolic side effects.
A: Weight gain, diabetes risk, sedation, QT prolongation.
Q: What are extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)?
A: Movement disorders caused by dopamine blockade in the nigrostriatal pathway.
Q: What are the four main types of EPS?
Acute dystonia – Muscle spasms (1-5 days).
Parkinsonism – Tremors, rigidity (1-4 weeks).
Akathisia – Restlessness (1-2 months).
Tardive dyskinesia – Involuntary movements (months-years).
Q: What is neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)?
A: A life-threatening reaction to antipsychotics causing hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, confusion, and tachycardia.
