Psychopharm (Bio)

Question 1

Antipsychotic: mechanism of action

Answer 1

All are dopamine D2 antagonists (i.e., lower the levels of dopamine in the brain by blocking dopamine receptors)

Question 2

Drugs that end with suffix “azine”

Answer 2

Typically a conventional/typical antipsychotic drug

Question 3

Antipsychotic medication side effects

Answer 3

sedation and drowsiness, orthostatic hypotension, anticholinergic effects, weight gain, sexual dysfunction, tardive dyskinesia
Typicals: extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)
Atypicals: metabolic adverse effects

Question 4

Anticholinergic effects

Answer 4

Sx of “drying out” and “holding in”
dry mouth, constipation, urinary hesitancy or retention, blurred vision, dry eyes, photophobia, nasal congestion, confusion, and decreased memory

Question 5

Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS)

Answer 5

movement-related Sx such as dystonia (muscle spasm), Parkinsonism (shuffling gait, drooling, resting tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia), and akathisia (restless feeling in legs)

Question 6

Tardive Dyskinesia

Answer 6

Abnormal movements of the lips, toungue, and jaw (e.g., lip smacking, grimacing, chewing, rolling, etc.) and may involve trunk and arms