Antipsychotics Flashcards
What are the different types of antipsychotics?
- First generation (typical) antipsychotics
- Second generation (atypical) antipsychotics
Which receptor is involved in the mechanism of action of antipsychotics?
D2 receptors
Name 2 first generation antipsychotics
- Haloperidol
- Chlorpromazine
What is the mechanisms of action of FGAs?
D2-antagonism in the CNS
List 2 indications for Haloperidol
- Acute emergency rapid tranquillisation and sedation in:
- Acute delirium
- Agression/psychosis in Alzheimers
- Schizophrenia and psychosis
- Mania and hypomania
- Severe tic disorders
- NaV in palliative care
- Restlessness/confusion in palliative care
- Consider for post-op NaV
Name 2 side effects of Haloperidol
- EPSP
- Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
How is choice of antipsychotic decided?
Side effect profile (patient preference)
What is Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome?
Life-threatening reaction in response to neuroleptic medication - due to dopamine blackage.
- Fever
- Autonomic instability
- Tachycardia
- Hypertension
- Delirium/mental state changes
- Muscular rigitiy

Outline the extrapyramidal symptoms which may be seen with antipsychotic use
Oculogyric crisis can be seen with arirpiprazole
How does efficacy vary between antipsychotics?
All antipsychotics have similar efficacy (60-70%). Therefore, choice is decided on side effect profile.
Name 4 second generation antipsychotics
- Aripiprazole
- Clozapine
- Olanzapine
- Quetiapine
- Risperidone
Name 3 side effects of SGAs
- Anti-histaminic: Weight gain, sedation
- Anti-adrenergic: Tachycardia, sexual dysfunction, postural hypotension
- Anti-cholinergic: dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, constipation, cutaneous flushing
- HTN
- Hyperprolactinaemia
- Impaired glucose tolerence: hyperglycaemia/diabetes
- EPSE
- Prolonged QTc
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Name two common side effects of Olanzapine and Clozapine?
- Weight gain
- Sedation
What 2 SGAs have the greatest risk of weight gain and sedation?
- Olanzapine
- Clozapine
What is the benefit of SGAs over FGAs?
SGAs have a lower risk of EPSEs. However, they still have potentially significant side effects that shouldn’t be ignored.
Outline the NICE guidance on first line choice of antipsychotic medication
SGAs and FGAs can be prescribed as first line medication, and this should be determined by side effect profile and patient preference.
Which side effects are Risperidone associated with?
Increased prolactin secretion Erectile dysfunction Feminisation (rare cause of SIADH)
Which side effect does not appear whilst on Quetiapine?
Quetiapine does not increase prolactin secretion
How does Aripiprazole differ from other SGAs? What is the effect of this?
Aripiprazole is a partial D2 agonist rather than a D2 antagonist. It has less metabolic side effects, but is also less effective.
Besides D2 receptors, SGAs interact with which receptors?
Alpha 1 and 2 receptors Histamine receptors
What syndrome is associated with SGAs?
Metabolic syndrome:
- Waist circumference
- HTN
- Diabetes
- Hyperlipidaemia
How does Risperidone cause hyper-prolactinaemia?
Dopamine blockade removes the inhibition on prolactin secretion
What is the effect of hyper-prolactinaemia?
*Think pregnancy state* Amenorrhoea Galactorrhea Gynaecomastia Sexual dysfunction - vaginal dryness or erectile dysfunction Feminisation - loss of body hair and muscle mass (osteoporosis)
Outline the anti-muscarinic/cholinergic side effects
Blurred vision Urinary retention Dry mouth Constipation (Can’t see, can’t pee, can’t spit, can’t shit)