Drug therapy used in the treatment of schizophrenia Flashcards
what explanation is drug therapy based on ?
-based on the biological explanation
- assumption that we could treat schizophrenia using medication
what is it thought that schizophrenics produce too much of or have more of ?
- produce too much dopamine
- or have more dopamine receptors than non-schizophrenics
what can we not do to treat schizophrenia ?
- we cannot decrease the amount of dopamine or reduce the number of receptors
what do drugs do to receptors ?
- drugs block receptors
what is meant by a typical antipsychotic drug ?
- 1st gen / traditional drug
- the one that is made first
what is meant by an atypical antipsychotic drug ?
- 2nd generation
what is the main drug therapy used in the treatment of schizophrenia ?
- anti-psychotic drugs
in what form are antipsychotics mostly taken in ?
- tablet
- syrup
- can be prescribed as monthly injections for those at risk of not taking medication
how long can they be prescribed for ?
- can be prescribed for either long term or short term
what is an example of a typical antipscyhotic drug ?
Chlorpromazine
when was chlorpromazine developed ?
- in the 1950’s
what is the daily dose of chlorpromazine ?
- 400-800 mg
chlorpromazine is a dopamine antagonist
what does that mean ?
- reduces levels of dopamine in the body
how does chlorpromazine work ?
- works by blocking the dopamine receptors in the brain
what kind of symptoms does chlorpromazine reduce ?
- positive symptoms
what are the moderate side effects of chlorpromazine ?
- sleepiness
- agitation
- dizziness
what are the serious side effects of chlorpromazine ?
- tardive dyskinesia
- uncontrollable muscle movements (ticks)
- NMS
- high temp, delirium, coma and can be fatal
what are 2 examples of an atypical antipsychotic drug ?
- clozapine
- risperidone
from when have antipsychotic atypical drugs been used?
- form the 1970’s
what was the aim of atypical antipsychotic drugs ?
- aimed to improve the effectiveness of antipsychotics, suppress the symptoms and minimise symptoms
when was clozapine developed ?
in the 1960’s
why was clozapine withdrawn in the 1970’s ?
- following the deaths of some patients from a blood condition
why was clozapine remarked after it was withdrawn ?
- because it was discovered to be more effective than typical antipsychotics
why is clozapine not available as injections ?
- because of its potentially fatal side effects
what is the daily dosage of clozapine ?
300-450 mg
how does clozapine work ?
- it bonds onto the dopamine receptors and acts on serotonin and glutamate receptors
what are the positive effects of clozapine ?
- helps to improve mood and reduce depression and anxiety in patients which may improve cognitive functioning
when was risperidone developed ?
- 1990’s
why was risperidone developed ?
- developed as an attempt to produce a drug as effective as clozapine
- but without serious side effects
in what form is risperidone taken as ?
- tablet
- syrup
- injection
typical dose of risperidone ?
4-8 mg daily
how does risperidone work ?
why is it effective even at smaller doses ?
- works by binding to dopamine and serotonin receptors
- but it binds much more strongly to receptors than clozapine so it is still effective at smaller dosages
