Drug treatment for Schizophrenia Flashcards
How do antipsychotics work?
They block dopamine receptors to prevent them absorbing dopamine, mostly D2 receptors, to reduce the action of dopamine (antagonists)
Characteristics of typical antipsychotics?
Older drugs developed in the 50s, cause movement related side effects - parkinsons, less likely to cause weight gain or diabetes, less likely to give sex problems
Characteristics of a typical drugs?
newer and don’t bind to receptors as tightly, they block seretonin receptors but are less likely to cause parkinsons or to produce tardive dyskinesia, more likely to cause weight gain
Why might a typical drugs be more effective?
They don’t bind to receptors as tightly and block 5-HT2A receptors - seretonin
Example of a typical of antipsychotics:
Clozapine, Misperidone, Olanzapine
Example of typical antipsychotics:
Chlorpromazine, Halopendol, Fluephenazine
How are patients prescribed antipsychotics?
They are based on the clients medical history and the pros and cons are discussed, newer ones tried first, then old ones
Why is clozapine beneficial?
It reduces suicidal feelings, it has the same side effects of the newer drugs but causes more saliva to be produced , causes hardly any movement problems
What are the main drawbacks of clozapine?
It can affect bone marrow leading to a shortage of white blood cells making you vulnerable to infection, also causes weight gain, constipation etc
Why is drug therapy good?
It allows the patients to live in society and avoid being institutionalised by a long term in hospital, 1/3 never get symptoms again
What did Emsley (2008) find?
That those injected with antipsychotic risperidone early in the disorder had high remission raes and low relapse rates
What did Meltzer et al (2004) find?
That haloperidol improves symptoms compared to a placebo
What supports the use of antipsychotics?
There is empirical evidence to support dopamine related treatments that are well controlled and objective
What did McEvoy (2006) find?
That out of 4 drugs taken by patients who had previously stopped APs, they found that clozapine was taken the longest and was the most effective
What is a limitation of using antipsychotics?
Side effects are unpleasant and can be fatal, it may put people off taking medicine, 50% do no continue their course
