Bio therapies for SZ (drug therapy)

• Early treatment of Sz

  Anti psychotics developed to effect dopamine levels and treat psychosis, Typical and Atypical antipsychotics
• Chlorpromazine as a bio therapy for SZ

  Typical drug used since 50’s, tablet or syrup 400-800mg daily or injection every 2-4 weeks. its a Dopamine antagonists which blocks receptors and reduces postive symptoms
• Why were Atypical drugs developed to treat SZ

  Used since 70’s to improve in reducing symptoms and reduces side effects of typical drugs
• Clozapine as a bio therapy for SZ

  Atypical drug more effective than original, Tablette or syrup 300-450mg daily (NO INJECTION). works by blocking dopamine + glutamine + serotonin receptor, Reduces pos + neg Symptoms
• risperidone as a bio therapy for SZ

  Atypical drug, Dopamine+glutamine+serotonin antagonists more effective than original. Tablet or syrup 4-8Mg or injection every 2 weeks
• Strength of Typical drug therapy as a bio treatment for SZ

  Evidence for effectiveness = review studies of 1000 patients compared Chlorpromazine to placebo, drug was associated with better functioning and reduced symptoms and lower relapse rates - shows drugs work
• Strength of Atypical drug therapy as a bio treatment for SZ


  Evidence for effectiveness: clozapine more effective than typical drugs, effective in 30-50% of treatment cases where typical had failed. Also reduced suicide risk
• Weakness of Typical drug therapy as a bio treatment for SZ


  Side effects: dizziness, restlessness, itching > however dosage has been reduced, minimising side effects
• Weakness of Atypical drug therapy as a bio treatment for SZ


  Fewer side effects but risk of granulocytosis (reducing white blood cells) > risk minimised with health checks
• Weakness of overall drug therapy as a bio treatment for SZ


  Lack of theoretical sense= based on hyperdopaminergia, not full explaination because hypodopaminergia also problem, in theory shouldnt work but it does and unclear how