drug treatment for schizophrenia Flashcards
(30 cards)
what biological treatment is used to treat schizophrenia?
anti-psychotics
what are anti-psychotics?
drugs that prevent symptoms of schizophrenia.
what two types of anti-psychotics are there?
A-typical and Typical
what are A-typical drugs?
stops both positive and negative symptoms and is newer than typical - brought out in the 90’s
what are Typical drugs?
older drugs, only stops positive symptoms came out in the 50’s-60’s
what are the side effects of Typical drugs?
- problems with sex life,
- high blood pressure,
- stiffness and shakiness.
- feeling sluggish and slow in your thinking
- problems with breast swelling or tenderness.
what are the side effects of A-typical drugs?
- weight gain
- sleepiness and slowness
- interference with your sex life
- increased chance of diabities
- effects blood pressure
- in high doses some can cause parkinsons
- long term use may cause movements of the face and rarely the arms or legs this is known as tardive dyskinesia.
what is a example of a Typical drug?
Chlorpromazine - work by binding with receptors and stopping the absorption of dopamine, as increased dopamine causes positive symptoms such as hallucinations.
what is an example of a A-typical drug?
clozapine -
what is a benefit of using newer drugs such as Clozapine rather than older drugs in terms of side-effects?
it doesn’t affect dopamine which controls movement so their are less side effects such as stiffness and sluggish feeling and tardive dyskenisa.
whats the problem with clozapine?
it can effect a persons bone marrow which can lead to a shortage of white cells, which can make people vulnrable to infection.
how long does it take for anti-psychotics to take affect?
a few days - a few weeks
does everyone’s symptoms go after taking anti-psychotics ?
no, 25% of those on anti-psychotics do not get reduced symptoms and they are known as “treatment-resistant”.
is every prescriptions the same for everyone?
no, prescriptions will be best suited to each patient and their medical records will be checked to ensure the drugs are right for them.
what is drug therapy based on?
the idea that disorders are due to an imbalance of neurotransmitters, and drugs are used to aim to restore these neurotransmitters back to normal levels.
what is the first line of treatment for schizophrenia and why?
drug therapy, as they can help reduce symptoms in patients that would otherwise have prevented them from accessing other psychological therapies for this disorder.
what does Clozapine improve?
delusions and hallucinations, also seems to be helpful to those who dont respond well to other medication.
why do newer A-typical drugs less likely to produce the side-effected a associated with taking the drug?
there is evidence that suggest they dont bind with receptors so tightly and that they also block 5-HT2A receptors (serotonin r)
is Clozapine given to patients initially?
no, it is given after two other anti-psychotics have been tried as it is quite hard to monitor and the side effects can be dangerous, however most people find that overall it gives them a better quality of life.
how long may it take before anti-psychotics take effect?
a few days - a few weeks.
what do people with schizophrenia often do, to prevent them from getting unwell again?
take anti-psychotics for years even though the symptoms may of gone - if they stop taking the drugs too soon then the symptoms may return.
how many people dont take their drugs as reccommended?
at least half of people with schizophrenia
what may be the reasons behind people not taking drugs ?
- the side effects
- because they feel as though they are getting better
- in one survey some people said it was because they missed hearing the voices.
how many people prescribed do not get better and what is this known as?
25% - these people are known as “treatment-resistant.”
