Schizophrenia: Drug Therapy

Question 1

Name the two types of antipsychotic drugs & how they work.

Answer 1

Typical antipsychotics (chlorpromazine)- used to combat positive symptoms (hallucinations) by reducing the amount of dopamine to the brain as they bind to D2 receptors blocking their action at the synapse. It has a calming effect towards the individual. (1st generation) used a last resort. Has little effect on negative symptoms

Atypical antipsychotics (clozapine) - treats positive & negative symptoms. Blocks dopamine receptors also acts on other neurotransmitters eg: acetylcholine & serotonin. Works to relieve positive & negative symptoms. However they only temporarily occupy the D2 receptors and then rapidly dissociate to allow normal dopamine transmission.

Question 2

Name an example of a typical antipsychotic drug

Answer 2

Chlorpromazine

Question 3

Name an example of an atypical antipsychotic drug

Answer 3

Clozapine- combats the symptoms and negative symptoms too

Question 4

Typical antipsychotic side effects:

Answer 4

Develop tardive dyskinesia (uncontrollable facial ticks). Even after stopping the drug use, conditions persists. Other side effects are fatal - agranulocytosis & neuroleptic malignant syndrome (nms).