Antipsychotics

Question 1

Examples of first generation (or “typical”) antipsychotics

Answer 1

Chlorpromazine
Haloperidol
Fluphenazine

Question 2

How do first-generation anti-psychotic drugs work?

Answer 2

Block post-synaptic dopamine D2 receptors

Question 3

How do the second-generation (“atypical”) anti-psychotics differ from the first?

Answer 3

Lower risk of extra-pyramidal side effects, and better at treating negative symptoms

Question 4

Examples of atypicals

Answer 4

Risperidone

Olanzapine

Question 5

Types of movement disorder which can be seen as a side effect to antipsychotic drugs

Answer 5

Parkinsonism
Acute dystonic reactions
Akathisia
Tardive dyskinesia

Question 6

What might be the side effect of blocking dopamine within the tuberohypophyseal pathway?

Answer 6

Hyperprolactinaemia

Question 7

Which other receptors do atypicals block?

Answer 7

5HT-2

Question 8

Potential metabolic side effects of atypicals

Answer 8

Metabolic syndrome- obesity, dyslipidaemia, diabetes

Question 9

Effects of histamine blockade

Answer 9

Sedation, increased appetite

Question 10

Two potential serious side effects of clozapine

Answer 10

Agranulocytosis- severe deficiency of neutrophils. Myocarditis

Question 11

How can antipsychotics affect the ECG?

Answer 11

Prolongation of the QT interval