Atypical antipsychotics counselling Flashcards
1
Q
Check for contraindications
A
- Hepatic impairment
- Phaeochromocytoma
2
Q
How the treatment works
A
- Schizophrenia is thought to be caused by problems with dopamine receptors in your brain
- Atypical antipsychotics work by blocking these receptors
3
Q
Treatment course and how it’s taken
A
- Tablet injection or depot injection every 2-4 weeks
- Dose built up over a week or two
- Dose adjusted depending on response
- Can take several days or weeks to work
4
Q
Monitoring required
A
- Before treatment, at 3 months, 12 months, then annually: pulse, BP, weight, waist circumference, ECG, HbA1C, fasting glucose, lipid profile, prolactin
- Weight checks weekly for 6 weeks
5
Q
Side effects
A
- Anti-dopaminergic (tardive dyskinesia, tremor, movement disorders)
- Anti-cholinergic (constipation, dry mouth)
- Anti-histaminergic (weight gain, dizziness, drowsiness)
- Anti-adrenergic (Hypotension)
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (high fever and muscle rigidity)
- Agranulocytosis (clozapine)
- Withdrawal
- Hyperglycaemia and diabetes
- Hyperprolactinaemia (sexual dysfunction, menstrual disturbance, galactorrhoea etc)
- Prolonged QT