Flashcards in Antipsychotics Deck (51)
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1
The antipsychotic drugs fall into 2 major groups.. What are they?
First generation antipsychotics (FGAs)
-aka conventional antipsychotics
Second generation antipsychotics (SGAs)
-aka atpyical antipsychotics
2
Which group is better: FGA or SGA?
They are both equally effective
3
All of the FGAs produce strong blockade of receptors for ____ in the CNS. What does this result in?
Strong blockade of receptors for DOPAMINE in the CNS; this results in serious movement disorders
4
Extrapyramidial symptoms (EPS)
Serious movement disorders
5
What do the SGAs produce (like what blockade)?
Moderate blockade of receptors for dopamine; much stronger blockade of receptors for serotonin
6
Which has a lower risk for EPS: FGA or SGA?
SGA, since the blockade of receptors for dopamine is only moderate, whereas FGA has strong blockade of receptors for dopamine
7
Even thought the SGAs carry a lower risk for EPS, they cause significant risk for metabolic effects. What are some examples?
-Weight gain
-Diabetes
-Dyslipidemia
8
Define: A chronic psychotic illness characterized by disordered thinking and a reduced ability to comprehend reality
Schizophrenia
9
When do symptoms of schizophrenia usually emerge?
During adolescence or early adulthood
10
What are the positive symptoms of schizophrenia?
*Positive symptoms are viewed as an exaggeration or distortion of normal function
Hallucinations
Delusions
Disorganized speech
Bizarre behavior
11
What are the negative symptoms of schizophrenia?
*Negative symptoms can be viewed as a loss or diminution of normal function
Blunted affect
Poverty of thought
Loss of motivation
Inability to experience pleasure
12
Do FGAs improve positive symptoms, negative symptoms, or both?
Positive symptoms only
13
What are the 4 examples of FGAs?
Chlorpromazine
Haloperidol
Thiothixene
Trifuperazine
14
Which is more potent? Haloperidol or chlorpromazine?
Haloperidol
15
What does it mean when we say a drug is more potent?
The dose of the more potent drug (ex: haloperidol) required to believe psychotic symptoms is smaller than the required dose of the less potent drug (ex: chlorpromazine)
It DOES NOT mean that the more potent drug will produce greater effects.
16
If low potency and high potency neuroleptics (another name for FGAs) are equally effective, why do we distinguish between them?
These agents produce identical antipsychotic effects, but they differ SIGNIFICANTLY in their side effects
17
What is the primary indication for antipsychotic drugs?
Schizophrenia
18
FGA agents are equally effective, but individual patients may respond differently from one FGA to another. So how is selection on an FGA based?
It's side effects
19
Do FGAs have many or few side effects?
Many
20
Of the many side effects that FGAs may produce, what is the most troubling?
Extrapyramidal reactions--especially tardive dyskinesia (TD)
21
What are 4 types of EPS?
Acute dystonia
Parkinsonism
Akathisia
Tardive dyskinesia
22
Three of the 4 types of EPS occurs early in therapy. What are they? Can they be managed?
Acute dystonia
Parkinsonism
Akathisia
Yes, they can be managed with a variety of drugs
*The early reactions occur LESS FREQUENTLY with LOW-POTENCY agents than with high potency agents
23
What is the type of EPS that occurs late in therapy? Does it have satisfactory treatment?
Tardive dyskinesia; No satisfactory treatment
*The risk of TD is equal with ALL FGAs
24
Describe what happens in acute dystonia
-Muscle tightening (spasms) usually of the neck and shoulders
-Can involve the tongue and eyes
-Occur early in therapy
25
Describe what happens in akathisia
-Literally means "can't sit"
-A motor restlessness--> constant drive to move
-Occurs early in therapy
26
Describe what happens in Parkinsonism
-Exact same presentation as Parkinson's disease (tremor, shuffling gait, decreased arm swing, and mask-like facies)
-Occurs early in therapy
27
Describe what happens in Tardive dyskinesia
-Means "late movement disorder"
-Occurs late in therapy
-Usually permanent
-Involuntary movement of tongue, eyes, lips, and face
28
If a schizophrenia patient has been on FGAs for 2 years and begins showing symptoms of involuntary movement of the tongue and eyes, what kind of EPS would she have?
Tardive dyskinesia
*Even though acute dystonia has these same characteristics, the key word of the patient having been taking the drug for 2 years already lets you know that this is TD.
29
Which FGA drugs are used more often: low or high potency?
High; because they produce fewer side effects
30
