Drug treatments for Schizophrenia Flashcards
Wat are Antipsychotics also known as?
Neuroleptics
What do Antipsychotics do?
Medication used to control psychosis, such as delusions and hallucinations.
How are Antipsychotics taken?
Either in Pill form or Injection
What are the two types of Antipsychotic drugs which are taken?
Typical-Antipsychotics
Atypical Antipsychotics
Typical-Antipsychotics (First generation)
A drug therapy used since 1950’s, less popular due to severe side effects and only treats positive symptoms of Schizophrenia
Typical-Antipsychotics (First generation)
Provide an example?
Chlorpromazine
Typical-Antipsychotic drugs
“The drugs work as a …..”?
Dopamine antagonists, they reduce dopamine activity by blockading dopamine receptors at the synapse
What do Typical-Antipsychotic drugs do?
Calms the dopamine system in the brain, reducing positive symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions.
What are the side effects of Typical-Antipsychotic drugs?
Dry mouth
Uncontrollable muscle movement affecting the face.
Constipation
Atypical Anti-Psychotics (Second generation)
Drug therapy used to avoid the severe side effects of Typical anti-psychotics
Atypical Anti-Psychotics (Second generation)
Provide an example
Clozapine
Atypical Anti-Psychotics (Second generation)
Blocks dopamine receptors but also act on other neurotransmitters e.g:
Glutamate
Serotonin
Acetylcholine
Atypical Anti-Psychotics (Second generation)
Addresses the negative symptoms of schizophrenia such as avolition
What are the side effects of Atypical Anti-Psychotics ?
Weight gain
Cardiovascular problems
Less likely to cause involuntary movements
AO3 Support
Supporting research is provided by Leucht et al (2013) who reviewed 212 studies in a meta-analysis on the effectiveness of biological antipsychotic drug treatments that work via normalising levels of dopamine. Treatment of symptoms with the drugs were found to be much more effective than a placebo. This suggests the treatments that target the dopamine system are effective in reducing symptoms.