Schizophrenia: Drug Therapy - Typical/Atypical antipsychotics Flashcards

1
Q

What type of drug is the most common treatment for schizophrenia?

A

Antipsychotic drugs

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2
Q

Is antipsychotic drugs the most or least common treatment for schizophrenia?

A

Most

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3
Q

What factor should you consider when choosing the right course length of antipsychotics?

A

Depending on the severity of their psychosis

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4
Q

What are the two types of anti-psychotic drugs?

A

Typical and atypical

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5
Q

Which type of drugs are used more often?

A

Typical anti-psychotics are used more often

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6
Q

When would an individual use atypical anti-psychotic drugs?

A

If symptoms do not improve

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7
Q

Name a Typical antipsychotic drug

A

Chlorpromazine

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8
Q

What does an antagonist mean?

A

Something that reduces activity levels

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9
Q

Explain why Chlorpromazine are dopamine antagonists

A

Chlorpromazine reduces levels of dopamine activity in the brain

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10
Q

Chlorpromazine works by ___________ to the _____ receptors on _____ synaptic neurons in the brain, reducing the action of____________.

A

binding
D2
post
Dopamine

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11
Q

Chlorpromazine works by binding to what?

A

D2 receptors on post synaptic neuron

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12
Q

What happens to dopamine levels when Chlorpromazine binds to the D2 receptors?

A

Reduces the action of dopamine.

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13
Q

What happens to individuals’ symptoms of schizophrenia when taking Chlorpromazine?

A

Reduces positive symptoms of schizophrenia such as hallucinations.

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14
Q

Name an atypical drug used to treat schizophrenia.

A

CLOZAPINE

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15
Q

Atypical antipsychotics act upon which neurotransmitter(s) ?

A

Dopamine and Serotonin.

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16
Q

What type of drugs act upon Dopamine AND Serotonin in the brain?

A

Atypical antipsychotics e.g. Clozapine

17
Q

Clozapine also binds to what receptors sites?

A

D2 dopamine receptor sites

18
Q

What happens to individuals’ symptoms of schizophrenia when taking Clozapine?

A

Reduces positive symptoms such as hallucinations.

AND

Reduces negative symptoms of schizophrenia such as a lack of emotions.

19
Q

Why do atypical drugs like clozapine act as agonists?

A

Increase levels of serotonin.

20
Q

Clozapine increases levels of serotonin in the brain. How does this affect symptoms of schizophrenia?

A

Reduces negative symptoms of schizophrenia such as a lack of emotions as it helps improve mood and reduce depression and anxiety in patients.

21
Q

Why do Atypical antipsychotics (clozapine) have fewer side effects than typical antipsychotics (chlorpromazine)?

A

Atypical antipsychotics they have less action on the dopamine system.

22
Q

Why are typical antipsychotics are used first?

A

This is because atypical antipsychotics (clozapine) are associated with a life-threatening illness (agranulocytosis).

23
Q

What is Agranulocytosis?

A

Agranulocytosis is a blood condition where there are low levels of white blood cells, preventing and individual fighting of disease and illness.

24
Q

When are atypical antipsychotics (clozapine) used as opposed to typical antipsychotics?

A

Atypical antipsychotics (clozapine) are only given if typical antipsychotics (chlorpromazine) are not effective or if the patient has severe negative side effects.

25
Q

AO3: Evidence to support the EFFECTIVENESS of antipsychotics as a treatment of schizophrenia comes from…

A

Thornley et al. (2003)

26
Q

AO3: What large body of research did Thornley et al (2003) in their meta-analysis?

A

Large body of research to support the effectiveness of typical and atypical antipsychotics.

27
Q

AO3: How many studies did Thornley et al (2003) use in their meta-analysis looking into the effectiveness of typical and atypical antipsychotics?

A

13 studies

28
Q

AO3: How many participants were investigated by Thornley et al (2003) in their meta-analysis?

A

A total of 1121 participants

29
Q

AO3: What did Thornley et al (2003) find about Chlorpromazine (typical) against a placebo?

A

Typical antipsychotic was associated with better overall functioning and reduced symptom severity.

30
Q

AO3: According to Thornley et al’s (2003) meta-analysis, which type of drug was associated with better overall functioning and reduced symptom severity.

A

Typical antipsychotic

31
Q

AO3: What did Meltzer (2012) conclude about Clozapine (atypical) as an effective treatment of schizophrenic symptoms?

A

Clozapine (atypical) was more effective than typical antipsychotics and is effective in 30-50% of treatment resistant cases.

32
Q

AO3: Why does drug therapy require little motivation from the patients?

A

This is because the patient only has to take a tablet in order to reduce the symptoms of schizophrenia.

33
Q

A strength of drug therapy as a treatment for SZ, is that typical and atypical antipsychotics require little ______________ from the patient.

A

Motivation

34
Q

AO3: What can you compare motivation and commitment of drug therapy to? Give an example.

A

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

Requires motivation from patients as they have to
attend sessions and engage in them in order to identify and challenge irrational thoughts such as delusions.

35
Q

AO3: In Cognitive Behaviour Therapy patients must attend sessions and engage in them in order to identify and challenge irrational thoughts such as delusions. Why might this be difficult for a person with schizophrenia?

A

This may be difficult for a person with schizophrenia as they may not have an accurate perception of reality.

36
Q

AO3: What is an example of a side-effect that typical antipsychotics such as chlorpromazine have?

A

Typical antipsychotics can produce movement side effects such as parkinsonism (Parkinson-like symptoms).

37
Q

AO3: What is an example of a side-effect that atypical antipsychotics have?

A

Atypical antipsychotics carry the risk of a life-threatening illness, agranulocytosis (reduced white blood cell count)

38
Q

AO3: A weakness of using drug therapy to treat Schizophrenia is that they can cause negative side effects.

What can this be compared to?

A

CBT

39
Q

Why does CBT have minimal life-threatening side effects?

A

CBT involves a person identifying and challenging their irrational thoughts (delusions), without the use of drugs so there are no negative and potentially life-threatening side effects.