Schizophrenia - Treatments Flashcards
what drugs are used to treat schizophrenia?
antipsychotics
what are the 2 types of antipsychotics?
typical and atypical
how do typical antipsychotics treat schizophrenia?
stop hallucinations and delusions by blocking D2 receptors
what are the side effects of typical antipsychotics?
anhedonia, weight gain, tardive dyskinesia (muscle spasms)
what is an example of a typical antipsychotic?
chlorpromazine
how do atypical antipsychotics treat schizophrenia?
act on D2 receptors by rapid dissociation but for a shorter amount of time than typical
act on serotonin to reduce anxiety/depression
what are the side effects of atypical antipsychotics?
lowers white blood cells (agranulocytosis)
headaches
weight gain
when are typical antipsychotics usually taken?
all of the time
when are atypical antipsychotics usually taken?
during episodes only
what are the issues with typical antipsychotics compared to atypical?
taken all the time - side effects all the time
severe side effects
what are the issues with atypical antipsychotics compared to typical?
immunocompromised patients cannot take them as side effects lowers white blood cells
what are the advantages of atypical antipsychotics over typical?
reduces anxiety and depression - good as 30-50% of SZ patients attempt suicide
works on ‘hard to treat’ patients
can take during episodes only - side effects only during episodes
less severe side effects
what are the advantages of typical antispychotics compared to atypical?
can be taken by immunocompromised
what are the advantages of drug therapies to treat SZ?
supporting evidence - study compared with placebo and antipsychotic significantly more effective
enhance quality of life for patients - can live outside inpatient facilities - ecological validity
what are the issues with drug therapies?
consent - patients in psychotic episodes may not be able to consent to drugs, especially with severe side effects
severe side effects
biased research - a lot of research into antipsychotics funded by drug companies - biased results to sell more