drug therapy

• Do antipsychotics cure schizophrenia?


  No, they dampen symptoms
• What are the different forms in which antipsychotics can be taken?

  Tablet, syrup, or injection
• What are the two categories of antipsychotics?

  Typical and atypical
• Why were atypical antipsychotics introduced?

  Supposedly more effective with fewer side effects
• When were typical antipsychotics developed?

  1950s
• What is the most common example of a typical antipsychotic?

  Chlorpromazine
• How do typical antipsychotics work?

  They bind to dopamine receptors and reduce dopamine signal
• What symptoms do typical antipsychotics reduce?

  Positive symptoms like hallucinations and delusions
• How quickly do typical antipsychotics reduce symptoms?

  Within a few days for positive symptoms
• What other condition can Chlorpromazine be used to treat?

  Anxiety
• What is Chlorpromazine used for when patients are first admitted to the hospital?

  To calm down anxious patients
• What is the purpose of atypical antipsychotics?

  To reduce symptoms of schizophrenia with fewer side effects
• What are atypical antipsychotics?

  Drugs developed to improve effectiveness and reduce side effects.
• When were atypical antipsychotics developed?

  1960s and 70s.
• What was the first major drug developed in the atypical antipsychotic category?

  Clozapine.
• How does clozapine differ from typical antipsychotics?

  Acts on serotonin and glutamate receptors.
• What are the potential benefits of clozapine?

  Improves mood, reduces risk of depression, and may improve cognitive function.
• When is clozapine often administered?

  When there is a high risk of suicide.
• What percentage of people with schizophrenia may commit suicide at some point?

  30-50%.
• How do atypical drugs differ from typical antipsychotics in terms of D2 receptors?

  Temporarily occupy and rapidly dissociate to allow normal dopamine transmission.
• What is the purpose of the rapid dissociation of D2 receptors?

  To reduce extrapyramidal side effects.
• What is risperidone?


  A more recently developed atypical antipsychotic drug.
• How does risperidone act?

  In a similar way to clozapine, but binds more strongly to dopamine receptors.
• What is the advantage of risperidone's stronger binding to dopamine receptors?


  Effective in smaller doses, reducing the risk of some side effects.
• What are the benefits of typical antipsychotics?

  Better overall functioning, reduced symptom severity, lower relapse rate.
• What is the effectiveness of atypical antipsychotics in treatment-resistant cases?

  Effective in 30-50% of treatment-resistant cases.
• What is a concern regarding the evidence of atypical antipsychotics?

  Some successful trials may be exaggerated and published numerous times.
• Why are drug therapies typically cheap to produce?

  Tablets are mass-produced, making them more affordable.
• What is the common belief about the use of antipsychotics in hospitals?

  They are often used to calm patients and make them easier to work with, raising concerns about human rights.
• What symptoms do typical antipsychotics primarily work on?

  Positive symptoms.
• What symptoms do atypical antipsychotics treat?

  Both positive and negative symptoms.
• What is the likelihood of side effects with antipsychotic drugs?

  Likely, ranging from mild to serious and fatal.
• What are some side effects associated with typical antipsychotics?

  Dizziness, agitation, sleepiness, stiff jaw, weight gain, itchy skin.
• What is the most serious side effect of typical antipsychotics?

  Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS).
• What are the symptoms of neuroleptic malignant syndrome?

  High temperature, delirium, coma, potentially fatal.
• What is the cause of neuroleptic malignant syndrome?

  Blocking dopamine action in the hypothalamus.
• What is the frequency of neuroleptic malignant syndrome?

  Ranges from less than 0.1% to just over 2%.
• What were atypical antipsychotics developed for?

  To reduce the frequency of side effects.
• What is the main side effect of Clozapine?

  Agranulocytosis, requiring regular blood tests.
• Why are patients likely to continue taking antipsychotics?


  Because they are easy to take.