schizophrenia- drug therapy

Question 1

how do FGAs work

Answer 1

block D2 receptors, reducing dopamine
reduces positive symptoms (reduces positive symptoms in 60% of people)

Question 2

what can disturb antipsychotics

Answer 2

caffeine, nicotine and recreational drugs

Question 3

what is the aim in the first 7 days of antipsychotics

Answer 3

to relieve patients of symptoms such as hallucinations and bring them back to a normal state, they are closely monitored for dosage and symptoms

Question 4

relapse

Answer 4

it occurs in 60-80% of those who do not take the maintenance dose

Question 5

how do SGA work

Answer 5

blocking D2 receptors and serotonin receptors
temporarily binds to receptors then disappears

Question 6

examples of one FGA drug

Answer 6

clozapine

blocks dopamine receptors, reducing dopamine levels

tardive dyskinesia (30% get it and of those 75% won’t recover)

Question 7

example of one SGA

Answer 7

clozapine

blocks serotonin

negative and positive symptoms

dry mouth, metabollic problems

Question 8

evidence

Answer 8

good- McEvoy et al (2006) found that clozapine is the most effective compared to the other drugs in a 3 month treatment, as they took the drug for longer

bad- Patel et al found that 20% of people show negligible improvements after multiple FGA trials