Drug Therapy: Typical Antipsychotics

Question 1

Also known as conventional or first-generation antipsychotics and are the oldest type of drug used to treat schizophrenia

Answer 1

These include chlorpromazine and are DA antagonists

Question 2

These drugs bind to a group of DA receptors called D2 receptors without stimulating them

Answer 2

In doing so this drug blocks the receptor sites so the post synaptic neuron cannot be activated by DA

Question 3

This reduces DA activity in the brain most importantly in the meso limbic pathway

Answer 3

The effect of this is s reduction in positive symptoms ed hallucinations and delusions within about 48 hours of the first dose

Question 4

Supporting evidence for the effectiveness of typical antipsychotics
Leucht

Answer 4

Meta-analysis of 65 studies involving nearly 6000 patients who had either been given typical or atypical antipsychotics. Some given a placebo, others remained on antipsychotics
Within 12 months 64% of placebo patients had relapsed whereas 27% of those on antipsychotics

Supports the effectiveness, symptom-free for longer

Question 5

They produce extra pyramidal side effects

Answer 5

Typical antipsychotics affect extrapyramodal area= helps control motor activity 
Drugs sometimes produce movement problems
Tardive dyskinesia (involuntary contortions of tongue and face) 30% of patients 

So distressing leads to lack of compliance and the drug is ineffective

Question 6

They produce extra pyramidal side effects

Answer 6

Typical antipsychotics affect extrapyramodal area= helps control motor activity 
Drugs sometimes produce movement problems
Tardive dyskinesia (involuntary contortions of tongue and face) 30% of patients 

So distressing leads to lack of compliance and the drug is ineffective