6.4: Drug therapies

Question 1

Apart from effectiveness, briefly explain one limitation of drug therapy for schizophrenia (2 marks)

Answer 1

 All drugs have side effects that can be severe and may lead to patients avoiding
medication and hence to relapse
 It is questionable whether or not severely affected patients can give informed consent
to medication
 Drugs may simply be suppressing symptoms

Question 2

Outline one difference between typical and atypical antipsychotic drugs for the treatment of schizophrenia (2 marks)

Answer 2

Typical antipsychotic drugs work by arresting dopamine production to reduce positive symptoms, such as delusions and auditory hallucinations.
However, atypical antipsychotic drugs work by affecting serotonin and dopamine production, to reduce negative symptoms, such as reduced emotional expression