Solution 1) Antipsychotic Drugs Flashcards
What are A-P drugs aimed at?
Blocking dopamine receptors.
Why?
Used to treat positive symptoms.
Severe side effects - cramps, dizziness and blurred vision.
Reduces dopamine activity.
How do A-P drugs work?
Works by blocking dopamine receptors - reduces dopamine activity.
Blocks mesolimbic pathways.
What are the 2 main types of A-P drugs?
Typical (conventional) - Chlorpromazine.
Atypical (2nd generation) - Clozapine.
Which are used to treat positive symptoms?
Typical.
What are positive symptoms?
Hallucinations, delusions and disordered thinking.
What are the side effects?
Cramps, dizziness and blurred vision.
What can atypical drugs treat?
Both positive and negative symptoms.
Cole et al.
+ One of the earliest pieces of research.
+ Focuses on 1st generation drugs.
+ Pro antipsychotic drugs.
+ Drugs did not worsen.
Ravanic et al.
+ Atypical more effective than typical.
+ More effective in dealing with biological causes.
Rettenbacker
+ Found drugs effective for schizophrenia.
- Problem with people with schizophrenia is that they are non-compliant. 37.5% of schizophrenic people don’t regularly take medication.
A controversial view?
- Chemical straight jacket - drugs only control the patient, they don’t solve schizophrenia.
Stephen Lawrie
+ Very pro-new A-P drugs.
+ “Revolutionised the care of schizophrenia.”
+ Allowed people with schizophrenia to move out of industries and into the community.
Jan Tiihonen et al.
- Agrees schizophrenic people are non-compliant - a lot of aggression and violence.
- A-P drugs not a cure just controls the issue.
- When a patient stops taking the drugs, the symptoms return in 80% of cases - backed by Lewis et al.
Beng - Choon - Ho
+ Drugs control issue.
- In the long run it erodes brain tissue - backed by Lewis et al.
Additional Research/Development
- A-P drugs only effective in 75% of cases.
- Ineffective in negative cases.
Awad and Voruganti
+ Atypical effective in 85% of patients.
Leucht et al.
- Challenges figure of 85% success rate.
NCISH
National Confidential Enquiry into Suicide and Homicide
- 29% of all homicides in 2003-13 were committed by those with schizophrenia.
- 29% non-compliant - did not take regular medication.
Gilbert et al.
- 53% of patients relapsed within 10 months of drugs being withdrawn.
- 16% relapsed while continuing medication.
Harrow
- 20-year longitudinal study.
- Other than first few years, A-P drugs did not reduce frequency of psychotic episodes.
Seeman
- Long term medication leads to development of super-sensitivity to dopamine.
- Making some more vulnerable to relapse.
Ethical Implications
- Between 20-25% of schizophrenics on A-P suffer from tremors/involuntary movements.
- Clozapine can affect bone marrow or reduce white blood cells or reduce immunity.
+ A-P drugs can help symptoms of schizophrenia and is the most effective treatment.
Social Implications
+ A-P relieve symptoms.
+ Reduce the need for hospitalisation and reintegrate people into society.
- Relapses are common.
- Direct costs - hospitalisation and medication.
- Indirect costs - effects of schizophrenic family member.
