Biological treatment of Schizophrenia - Drug Therapy

Question 1

what does drug treatment aim to do?

Answer 1

alter dopamine levels in order to reduce symptoms

Question 2

how do the drugs work?

Answer 2

by affecting the D2 receptors in the brain

Question 3

2 types of antipsychotics

Answer 3

typical anti-psychotics

atypical anti-psychotics

Question 4

name a typical anti-psychotic

Answer 4

chlorpromazine

Question 5

name 2 atypical anti-psychotics

Answer 5

clozapine

risperidone

Question 6

how is chlorpromazine taken?

Answer 6

tablets

syrup

injection

Question 7

chlorpromazine - dosage

Answer 7

oral - 100mg daily

gradual increase to 400-500mg

Question 8

how does chlorpromazine affect dopamine levels?

Answer 8

it’s a antagonist in dopamine system

blocks dopamine receptors
decreasing levels

Question 9

what happens in the patients body when they start to take chlorpromazine?

Answer 9

dopamine levels rise

body adjusts to drug by lowering dopamine production

Question 10

what other neurotransmitters are affected when chlorpromazine is taken?

Answer 10

histamine receptors

Question 11

What Sz symptoms are treated when taking chlorpromazine?

Answer 11

positive symptoms

e.g. hallucinations

Question 12

what is a beneficial effect of taking chlorpromazine ?

Answer 12

sedative effect (from histamine)

calms patients w/ and w/o Sz

Question 13

how is clozapine taken?

Answer 13

tablets

NO injection unless regular blood tests are taken

(fatal side effects)

Question 14

clozapine - dosage

Answer 14

300-450mg a day

Question 15

how does clozapine affect dopamine levels?

Answer 15

temporarily blocks dopamine receptors

decreasing levels

Question 16

what other neurotransmitters are affected when clozapine is taken?

Answer 16

serotonin + glutamate receptors

Question 17

what Sz symptoms are treated when clozapine is taken?

Answer 17

helps regulate moods:
reduce anxiety + depression

improves cognitive function + suicide risks

Question 18

when is clozapine offered?

Answer 18

if one is treatment resistant after trying 2 other drugs

Question 19

how is risperidone taken?

Answer 19

tablets, syrup, injection

injection lasts 2 weeks

Question 20

risperidone - dosage

Answer 20

small dose

gradual increase from 4-8mg

maximum 12mg

Question 21

how does risperidone affect dopamine levels?

Answer 21

binds w/ dopamine + serotonin receptors

Question 22

what symptoms are treated when risperidone is taken?

Answer 22

as effective as clozapine but w/o serious side effects

effective is smaller doses

Question 23

chlorpromazine - initial side effects

Answer 23

dizziness

sleepiness

weight gain

Question 24

chlorpromazine - long term side effects

Answer 24

tardive dyskinesia

shown in grimacing + lip smaking

Question 25

clozapine - side effects

Answer 25

risk of agranulocytosis

fatal blood condition