Antipsychotic Drugs Lecture Flashcards

Vocabulary and key clinical concepts concerning antipsychotic classifications, side effects, and nursing management.

Neuroleptics

Also called antipsychotic drugs or major tranquilizers, these are used to manage psychosis, disordered thought, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.

First-Generation (Typical) Antipsychotics

Older medications used for psychosis that include classes such as Phenothiazines, Thioxanthene, Butyrophenones, and dibenzoxepine.

Phenothiazines

A group of first-generation antipsychotics including Thorazine, Mellaril, Stelazine, Trilafon, Prolixin, and Serentil.

Thioxanthene

A class of typical antipsychotic drugs that includes Navan and Taractan.

Butyrophenone

A category of first-generation antipsychotics which includes the drug Haldol.

Decannoate

Long-acting formulations of antipsychotic medications, such as long-acting Haldol and Prolixin.

Second-Generation (Atypical) Antipsychotics

Serotonin-dopamine antagonists that act as the first choice for treating schizophrenia and may have milder movement-related side-effects.

Atypical Antipsychotic Examples

Includes medications such as Clozapine (Clozaril), Olanzapine (Zyprexa), Risperidone (Risperdal), and Ziprasidone (Zeldox).

Indications for Haloperidol

Specifically used for psychomotor agitation because injections are available.

Contraindications for Antipsychotics

Includes glaucoma, hypertension, prostatic hypertrophy, hepatic or renal failure, pregnancy, and concurrent use of CNS depressants or barbiturates.

General Side-effects of Antipsychotics

Common effects include dryness of mouth and eye, blurring of vision, urinary retention, constipation, photophobia, and postural hypotension.

Extrapyramidal Side Effects (EPS)

Movement-related side effects consisting of Acute dystonia, Akathisia, Parkinsonism, and Tardive dyskinesia (TD).

Acute Dystonia

An extrapyramidal side effect that can be rapidly relieved with an IM injection of Cogentin.

Akathisia

A state of agitated restlessness that disappears when the neuroleptic is stopped and may be treated with muscle relaxants like diazepam.

Tardive Dyskinesia (TD)

Includes involuntary movements with no reliable treatment; prevention is best, and trials with Clozabine or combining drugs with diphenhydramine may help.

Nursing Intervention for Dry Mouth

Maintain moisture with frequent sips of water, lubricate lips with petroleum jelly, provide oral care with normal saline, and use sugarless gum or candy.

Nursing Intervention for Postural Hypotension

Check B.P. before and after administration, advise patients to dangle feet before getting out of bed, and keep the patient lying flat for at least 1 hour after I.V. administration.

Anticholinergics and Antihistamines in EPS

Medications like Benztropine, Trihexyphenidyl, and Diphenhydramine (Benedryl) used to manage side effects like Parkinsonism or reduce the risk of TD.