also called neuroleptic drugs because they often cause
unwanted side effects of physical movements
muscle tremors are a side effect
similar to those found in Parkinsons-
these can be reduced if the person is
also prescribed anti-parkinsonian
drugs at the same time
Clorpromazine reduces the frequency ans
strength of hallucinations and other symptoms
and acts by blocking the receptors for
dopamine that are located in the synapses of
the neuron. This reduces levels of dopamine.
the drug must be taken regularly and all the time or
the hallucinations, delusions and thought
disturbances return, often with great severity
the drug must be taken even if
none of the positive symptoms are
being experiences at the time
Long term hospitalisation
for people with
schizophrenia was
reduced when
Chlorpromazine was
introduced in the 1950s
Cole et al found that after 6
weeks of treatment with
antipsychotic drugs, people
with schizophrenia showed
significant improvement
compared to those given a
placebo
SIDE EFFECTS:
Muscle tremors
Shuffling feet when walking
Moving slowly and rigid
facial expressions
Tardive dyskinesia
Restlessness and limb
discomfort accompanied by
bizarre face and tongue
movements
ATYPICAL ANTIPSYCHOTIC DRUGS
reduces positive and negative symptoms
Most effective ones used are
Risperidone and Clozapine
Their action is different to
conventional drugs; they work less to
reduce levels of dopamine but do
change the levels of serotionin
Clozapine is effective with
schizophrenics who have not responded
to conventional antipsychotic drugs
side effects are: nausea, weight gain, irregular heartbeat and
excessive salivation- a few patients also develop a life threatening
disorder in which the level of white blood cells dramatically drop
TREATMENT EFFECTIVENESS OF ANTIPSYCHOTIC DRUGS
both types of drugs have undesirable,
bizarre and significant side effects
The drugs make a
dramatic difference to the
lives of sufferers and
families
25% of sufferers do not respond to the
conventional antipsychotic drugs. However,
these people do respond to the atypical ones
If either type of drug is
not taken, the positive
symptoms return quickly,
requiring urgent
hospitalisation as a
consequence
both drugs reduce +
symptoms, atypical
reduces - as well
Reducing - symptoms help even more with everyday living