Biological Treatments Flashcards
What forms can antipsychotic drugs be taken in?
Syrup or tablet
Origin of typical antipsychotic drugs?
1950s
Example of typical?
Chlorpromazine
Daily dose of typical?
Can be as much as 1000mg per day
Liu and Hann?
Typically dosages have declined over last 50 years
Role of chlorpromazine?
Works as an antagonist to dopamine- chemicals that reduce the action of a neurotransmitter- block dopamine receptor in synapse of brain reducing action and normalising neurotransmission
Levels of dopamine when taking typical?
Initially increases but then reduces
What symptoms do typical drugs usually tackle?
Positive such as hallucinations
What is chlorpromazine usually used for?
To calm patients when they enter hospital for the first time- syrup is usually form and works faster
Origin of atypical?
1970s
Aim of atypical?
They would be more effective drugs that minimised side effects
Example of atypical?
Clozapine
Issue with Clozapine?
Had to be withdrawn in the 70s because of deaths of people with a blood condition- by the 80s it was reintroduced but only as a treatment that would be used if all others failed
What must people who take clozapine do?
Have regular blood tests
How is clozapine administered?
Cannot be injected due to deadly side effects
Dosage= 300-450mg
How does clozapine work?
Binds to dopamine but in addition acts on serotonin and glutamate receptors- its action improves mood and reduces depression/anxiety
What sort of patients might clozapine be prescribed too?
Suicidal- 30-50% attempt suicide
What is risperidone?
Was developed as a safer option to clozapine and can be taken as a tablet/syrup or injection that lasts 2 weeks- start with small amount 8mg and max is 12mg
Action of dopamine?
Binds more strongly to dopamine so is much more effective in smaller dosages
Thornley et al?
Studies effects of chlorpromazine in a placebo based trial- 13 trials- over 1000 participants demonstrated that CH was associated with better overall functioning and reduced symptom severity
Further result of Thornley?
From 3 trials of 512 participants - relapse rates= reduced when chlorpromazine was taken
Meltzer?
Concluded that clozapine was more effective than typical and other atypical drugs- argument that different patients react differently to different drugs
Side effects of typical drugs?
Dizziness, sleepiness, stiff jaw and weight gain
Tardive dyskinesia - caused by dopamine sensitivity - grimacing, lip smacking and blinking
What is Neuroleptic Malignant syndrome?
A typical drug symptom which causes dopamine blocking action in the hypothalamus
High temp, delirium and can be fatal
Healy?
Suggests that some positive trials have had their results published numerous times which exaggerates the extent of their effectiveness
Problem with studies?
They usual only assess short term effects
They compare people on medication to people who have only just stopped taking theirs
Chemical cosh argument?
Some have claimed that hospitals only attempt to calm patients down so that they are easier to work with for the staff- this is abuse of human rights
