Antipsychotics and Their Effects

Typical antipsychotics act as dopamine receptor antagonists, and they mainly act on D2 receptors in the mesolimbic pathway.

Tardive dyskinesia is a side effect characterized by slow, involuntary movements, often involving the lips, tongue, or face. It is a result of long-term use of typical antipsychotics, which can cause irreversible damage to the brain.

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare but life-threatening side effect of antipsychotics, characterized by symptoms such as muscle rigidity, tremors, fever, and changes in mental status.

<p>Atypical antipsychotics act as dopamine and serotonin receptor antagonists, and they have a more selective receptor binding profile compared to typical antipsychotics, resulting in a different side effect profile.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Agranulocytosis is a rare but serious side effect characterized by a severe decrease in white blood cells. Clozapine is an atypical antipsychotic that is associated with this side effect.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Dopamine inhibits prolactin production, and when dopamine is blocked by antipsychotics, prolactin levels can increase, leading to side effects such as galactorrhea, amenorrhea, and sexual dysfunction.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Antipsychotics are prescribed when there is danger to oneself or others, or when the patient is in distress. The two main types of antipsychotics are typical and atypical antipsychotics.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Blocking dopamine receptors on the mesolimbic pathway leads to a decrease in dopamine, resulting in extrapyramidal side effects, such as parkinsonism, tremor, bradykinesia, and rigidity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Antipsychotics, as dopamine antagonists, can lead to uncontrolled prolactin production, resulting in hyperprolactinaemia, which can cause galactorrhoea, amenorrhea, and sexual dysfunction.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Atypical antipsychotics, such as clozapine and risperidone, have anticholinergic, antihistaminergic, and anti-adrenergic effects, leading to side effects such as dry mouth, constipation, sedation, hypotension, and brady/tachycardia.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Taking typical antipsychotics can lead to a risk of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), which can cause rhabdomyolysis, resulting in the release of creatine kinase and potentially damaging the kidneys, leading to organ failure and death.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Clozapine is associated with the unique side effect of agranulocytosis, which is a decrease in white blood cells, and neutropenia, which is a decrease in a specific type of white blood cell.</p> Signup and view all the answers