Psychiatry Flashcards
Positive sxs in psychotic disorders are associated with which type of receptor?
dopamine
Negative sxs in psychotic disorders are associated with which type of receptor?
muscarinic
Best initial test in patients w/ psychosis?
drug tox screen
What is the first step in management of any patient w/ an acute psychiatric condition?
determine if the patient needs hospitalization - i.e. if patient poses a risk to self or others (SI or HI)
Management of psychosis?
- If case describes bizarre or paranoid sxs –> hospitalize
- Give benzos for agitation and start antipsychotics (duration 6 mo if one time; long-term if h/o repeat episodes).
- Initiate long-term psychotherapy
Give examples of conventional HIGH potency antipsychotics.
- fluphenazine
- haloperidol
Advantages of HIGH potency antipsychotics?
- less sedating
- fewer anticholinergic effects
- less hypotension
- useful as depot injections (e.g. haloperidol decanoate, fluphenazine) for noncompliant or delirious patients
- give IM for acute psychosis when patient can’t take PO
DISadvantages of HIGH potency antipsychotics?
greatest a/w extrapyramidal sxs (EPS)
Name some low potency conventional antipsychotics.
Thioridazine, chlorpromazine
What are the advantages of low potency conventional antipsychotics?
less likely to cause EPS
What are the DISadvantages of conventional low potency antipsychotics?
greater anticholinergic effects, more sedation, more postural hypotension
Name some atypical antipsychotics.
risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, clozapine
What are the advantages of the atypical antipsychotics?
- drug of choice for initial therapy
- greater effect on NEGATIVE symptoms
- little or no risk of EPS
What are the disadvantages of the atypical antipsychotics?
Clozapine is reserved for treatment-resistant patients due to risk of agranulocytosis - check baseline CBC. If ok after 6 mo, can decrease monitoring to bimonthly, then monthly.
What side effects is thioridazine a/w?
- prolonged QT and arrythmias
- abnormal retinal pigmentation (after years of therapy) - get routine eye exams
What are common reasons for noncompliance with conventional low-potency antipsychotics in men? In women?
- Men: impotence, inhibition of ejaculation (alpha blocker effect)
- Women: weight gain (due to hyperprolactinemia)
Which antipsychotic has the greatest weight gain a/w it?
Olanzapine
What are good antipsychotics for insomnia?
Olanzapine, quetiapine, ziprasidone, aripiprazole
When sedation is a problem w/ antipsychotic meds, which med to try?
Risperidone
If acute dystonia 2/2 antipsychotic develops, what is the management?
- Reduce dose of antipsychotic.
- Prescribe: anticholinergics (benztropine, diphenhydramine, trihexyphenidyl)
When bradykinesia (Parkinsonism) develops 2/2 antipsychotic, what is the management?
- Reduce dose of antipsychotic.
- Prescribe: anticholinergics (benztropine, diphenhydramine, trihexyphenidyl)
When akathisia develops 2/2 antipsychotic med, what is the management?
- reduce dose
- add *beta-blockers or benzos
- switch to newer antipsychotics
If tardive dyskinesia develops 2/2 antipsychotics, what is the management?
- stop older antipsychotics
- switch to newer antipsychotics (e.g. clozapine)
If neuroleptic malignant syndrome occurs 2/2 antipsychotic, what is the managment?
stop the antipsychotic, transfer to ICU for monitoring (20% mortality!)