Drug therapies: Atypical antipsychotics

Question 1

Atypical antipsychotics

Answer 1

These are a newer generation and have been used since the 1970s (they work better with negative symptoms as well as positive) and also have fewer side effects.

Question 2

How do they work?

Answer 2

They appear to block many dopamine receptors (D1 D2 D3 D4 D5) and are also reported to alter serotonin neurotransmission and to affect several other neurotransmitters as well.

Question 3

Clozapine

Answer 3

It has a typical daily dosage of between 300 to 450mg a day and is not available in injection form. It has mood enhancing effects so is prescribed to people who are at high risk of suicide.

Question 4

Risperidone

Answer 4

is one of the more recent atypical drugs and has fewer side effects perhaps due to it being administered in a smaller dose (only a maximum of 12mg)

Question 5

Evaluation strength: Meltzer et al (2012) for clozapine

Answer 5

found that it was better than typical antipsychotics a well as other atypical ones. Also, it was effective in 30-50 of patients who had failed to respond to other drug treatment.

Question 6

Evaluation strength: a lower rate of tardive dyskinesia

Answer 6

(only 5% according to Jeste 1999). Therefore, patients are more likely to take them.

Question 7

Evaluation strength: more effective at treating negative symptoms

Answer 7

and so overall are seen as a more effective treatment.