Psychopharmacology Flashcards
Agonists
produce effects similar to those produced by an endogenous
neurotransmitter
direct agonists
mimic the effects of a neurotransmitter a receptor site
indirect agonists
attach to a binding site on a receptor cell (site other than the one used by the neurotransmitter) AND facilitate the action of a neurotransmitter
Inverse Agonists
produce an effect opposite to the effect produced by a neurotransmitter
or agonist
Antagonists
produce no activity on their own but reduce or block the effects of a
neurotransmitter or agonist
direct antagonists
attach to a neurotransmitter’s receptor site, while
indirect antagonists interfere with the action of a neurotransmitter
Conventional Antipsychotics what are they
- haloperidol
- chlorpromazine
- fluphenazine
- thiothixene
Antipsychotic use?
-Alleviate psychotic symptoms (hallucination, delusions)
-most often prescribed for Schizophrenia
-used to treat: acute mania, delusions, hallucinations, associated with MDD, organic psychoses
-other positive symptoms
-LESS EFFECTIVE FOR NEGATIVE SYMPTOMS
How do antipsychotic’s work?
work primarily by blocking dopamine receptors (D2), and their effectiveness
for treating Schizophrenia was used to support the
-dopamine hypothesis
What is the dopamine hypothesis?
Schizophrenia is related to the OVERACTIVITY at dopamine receptors as a result of OVERSENSITIVY of receptors or EXCESSIVE dopamine levels.
What is the support for the dopamine hypothesis?
Research study suggests.
-amphetamines (alleviate dopamine) produce psychotic symptoms non-schizophrenics (similiar to paranoid schizophrenia).
-Low doses of ampheamine in individuals with schizophrenia exacerbate their symptoms. (that increase dopamine)
What are some of the side effects of traditional antipsychotics?
-anticholinergic
-extrapyramidal effects
neuroloeptic malignant syndrome
anticholinergic
effects (a - Anhidrosis) - increase temp, b- blurred vision, c - constipation, d - dry mouth) other urinary retention, tachycardia, delayed ejaculation - appear early and tolerence delveops within a few weeks
extrapyramidal
Caused by dopamine receptors (caudate nucleus.
side effects include parkinsonism, akathisia (extreme motor restlessness), dystonia (spasms in the mouth), and tardive dyskinesia
Describe Tardive dyskinesia?
is a condition where your face, body or both make sudden, irregular movements which you cannot control.
most serious extrapyramidal
-occurs late
-female patients
-simliar to huntington’s disease
-involuntary rhythmic movement of jaw, lips, tongue, and extremities
What is the most potent of the antipsychotics?
Haloperidol is associated with the most severe extrapyramidal effects.
neuroleptic malignant syndrome?
rare but potential side effect.
-rapid onset of motor, mental, and autonomic sx
-stop drug as soon as symptoms develop
-neuroleptic malignant syndrome involves muscle rigidity,
tachycardia, high fever, an altered state of consciousness, and
severe diarrhea
Is Tardive dyskinesia irreversible?
-may be alleviated with benzodiazzepine or other GABA agonist and
alleviated by slowly withdrawing the drug
What are Atypical Antipsychotics?
- Clozapine - bipolar, dep. and sucidality, alcohol idorder, drug addiction, hostility, motor sx of huntington’s disease, parkinson’s and othe rmovement disorders
- Resperidone
- olanzapine
- quetiapine
Which neurotransmitters are affected by non-traditional antipsychotics?
affect several neurotransmitters including dopamine, serotonin,
norepinephrine, and glutamate
Advantage of Atypical Antipsychotics?
-alleviate both pos and neg of schizo
-effective when traditional anti psychotic
Disadvantage of traditional antipsychotic drugs?
slower onset of therapeutic effects than traditional antipsychotics do
Common side effects of Atypical Antipsychotics?
side effects include anticholinergic effects, lowered seizure threshold,
and sedation
Common side effects of extrapyramidal?
-less common
-common is akathisia
-possible - neuroleptic malignant syndrome (takes awhile to develop, reduction in movement, and rigidity–dopamine)
-less likely to cause tardive dyskinesia
-can cause agranulocytosis - decrease in a certain type of white blood cells and other blood dyscrasias (unspecified blood condition e.g., over production)
