Drug Treatment for Schizophrenia

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  • Created by: katie
  • Created on: 06-05-15 10:24
what are drugs used to treat schizophrenia called?
anti-psychotics
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what are the two categories of anti-psychotics?
atypical and typical
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define typical and explain how they work
well established drugs that work by blocking the receptors in dopamine pathways
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define atypical and explain how they work
newer drugs that we are not completely sure how they work
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give an example of a typical drug
the phenothiazines
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give an example of an atypical drug
clozapine
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how long before the drugs start to show an effect?
around 10 days
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how long should they be taken for?
it depends. some people must remain on them for life whereas other people can take one course and then have their symptoms to never return. they must be taken on a regular basis though to control the symptoms.
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what are the side effects?
weight gain, constipation, sleepiness, restlessness
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STRENGTH: prescription
easy, quick and cheap to prescribe
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STRENGTH: research
new research being done to reduce side effects and better the drugs e.g. the atypicals have reduced side effects from the typical anti-psychotics
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STRENGTH: avoid hospitalisation
use of anti-psychotics mean the patients can remain living in society and wont be hospitalised which leads to institutionalisation
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WEAKNESS: prescription
over-prescribed sometimes for ease and not with the best interest of the schizophrenic in mind
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WEAKNESS: stop taking them
estimation of 50% of schizophrenics stop taking their medication when they are supposed to continue with it
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WEAKNESS: side effects
the unpleasant side effects mean that more medication may be required just to reduce the side effects
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

what are the two categories of anti-psychotics?

Back

atypical and typical

Card 3

Front

define typical and explain how they work

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

define atypical and explain how they work

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

give an example of a typical drug

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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