schizophrenia - biological treatment Flashcards
what is drug therapy
anti-psychotics are drugs used to treat schizophrenia and it is the most common treatment.
what are the different methods of taking the drugs?
tablets
injections
syrup
when are these administered?
every 2 - 4 weeks
what are the different types of drugs?
typical and atypical
what is a typical drug?
a older/ traditional drug
what is a atypical drug?
a newer developed drug
when was the first typical antipsychotic used?
in the 1950’s and it was called chlorpromazine, the lowest dosage being 400mg and it could increase to 800mg - 1000mg which is the max.
how do typical antipsychotics work?
it is linked with the dopamine hypothesis and is an antagonist in the dopamine system. the aim for this drug is to block dopamine receptors, and it helps with normalising the neurotransmitters in the key areas of the brain.
what were the effects of chlorpromazine?
it was also used as a sedative and was used to calm patients with schizophrenia, the syrup was quicker to be absorbed than tablets.
what are the atypical drugs?
clozapine - first developed in the 1960s and first trailed in early 70s. it was withdrawn in the 70s, following deaths from a blood conditions. then in the 80s it was found that it was more effective than typical antipsychotics
how does clozapine work?
it binds to the dopamine receptors but in addition acts on serotonin and glutamate receptors, it helps improves mood and reduces depression and anxiety in patients.
what is another atypical antipsychotic?
risperidone - been around since 1990s, can be taken in the form of tablets, syrups or an injection which lasts 2 weeks, binds to dopamine and serotonin receptors, but binds more strongly to dopamine receptors than clozapine.
