Atypical Antipsychotic Medications

Question 1

Use:

Answer 1

mostly for schizophrenia

Question 2

Mechanism of action

Answer 2

• mostly unknown and not fully clear
• These drugs are thought to block dopamine, serotonin, and adrenergic receptors in the brain.
• Can be use to treat both positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia

Question 3

side effects

Answer 3

• tachycardia
• sedation/dizziness
• neuroleptic malignant syndrome
• extrapyramidal side effects
• increase risk of CVA
• weight gain
• DM
• hypertriglyceridemia
• decreased libido and menstrual disorders due to increased prolactin
• can cause DM II because it affects glucose metabolism

Question 4

neuroleptic malignant syndrome symptoms

Answer 4

• s/s include confusion, fever, muscle rigidity, high serum creatinine level
• can be deadly

Question 5

extrapyramidal symptoms

Answer 5

• acute dystocia: muscle spasms in back, tongue, and facial muscles
• akathisia: inability to rest or relax, repetitive movements
• parkinsonism: shuffled gait, tremors, muscle rigidity
• Tardive dyskinesia: unusual tongue and facial movements (ie lip smacking, puffing cheeks, chewing repetitively, etc…)

Question 6

examples of atypical antipsychotic medicaitions

Answer 6

risperidone,
quetiapine
olanzapine
clozapine
aripiprazole
zaprisidone
paliperidone