Drug therapies: Typical antipsychotics

Question 1

Typical antipsychotics

Answer 1

These are the first generation of antipsychotics (developed during the 1950s). Chlorpromazine is a common one. It works well for positive symptoms and works by reducing dopamine through D2 receptors on the receiving neuron during synaptic transmission.

Question 2

How do they work?

Answer 2

These D2 receptors are particularly linked to perception so when these D2 receptors are activated by dopamine, they give the patient too much perception. Therefore drugs that block these receptor sites stop dopamine transmission (and over perception).
-This drug can also affect histamine receptors so it acts as an affective sedative.

Question 3

Dosage

Answer 3

Chlorpromazine can be administered through tablets, injection or syrup and if taken orally has a dosage of up to 1000mg a day.

Question 4

Evaluation strength: Thornley et al (2003)

Answer 4

who reviewed 13 trials that involved 1121 patients and found the drug was better than a placebo in terms of improving symptoms and reducing symptom severity. (better than nothing at all)

Question 5

Evaluation weakness: side effects

Answer 5

Tardive dyskinesia (involuntary movement). 30% of typical drug users suffer from this with 75% having it permanently. Also, 2% of users can get Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) which involves high temperature, delirium and in some cases can result in coma and death.

Question 6

Evaluation weakness: affects the motivation of patients to find long term treatment

Answer 6

Why bother going through the stressful process of trying to change delusional thinking when you can just take a pill?

Question 7

Evaluation weakness: methodological issues with studies above

Answer 7

For example, the drugs produce calming effects which is not the same as saying they are effective at reducing symptoms. Also, control groups include those who have just come off their anti-psychotics so they are always going to be worse.