Drug Therapies

Question 1

What is the drug most commonly used to treat SZ

Answer 1

Antipsychotics

Question 2

How can antipsychotics be taken?

Answer 2

For those at risk of not taking medication can be taken as an injection every 2-4 weeks

Question 3

How long must antipsychotics be taken for?

Answer 3

Others must take their whole life

Question 4

Name a Typical antipsychotics

Answer 4

Chlorpromazine

Question 5

How does chlorpromazine work?

Answer 5

Acting as an antagonist in the dopamine system- reducing dopamines activity

Question 6

What is the secondary function of Chlorpromazine

Answer 6

Sedative to calm patients when first admitted

Question 7

Describe how Clozapine works

Answer 7

1. Binds to dopamine receptors in same way as Chlorpromazine
2. But also binds to serotonin and glutamine receptors
3. This improves mood and cognitive function

Question 8

What the advantage of Clozapine

Answer 8

1. Binds to 3 neurotransmitters associated with SZ

2. Prescribed to those at high risk of suicide (30-50% at risk)

Question 9

What the disadvantage of Clozapine

Answer 9

1. Risk of agranulocytosis

2. People have to take blood tests to check

Question 10

What’s the advantage of Risperdone

Answer 10

1. Binds more strongly to dopamine receptors so effective in small doses
2. Fewer side effects

Question 11

Evidence for Chlorpromazine effectiveness from meta analysis

Answer 11

1. 13 Placebo trials
2. ## 1120 patients showed reduced symptoms3 trails, 510 patients had lower relapse rate

Question 12

Bad side effects

Answer 12

1. Insomnia
2. Tarditve diskinsia (dopamine supersensitveity)
3. Blocked dopamine in hypothalamus can cause coma or death