Schizophrenia Antipsychotics and Side Effects

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering the side effects of typical and atypical antipsychotics, including EPSEs, Parkinsonian symptoms, and Metabolic Syndrome criteria.

Extra Pyramidal Side Effects (EPSEs)

Side effects that patients experience as a result of dopamine blockade in the basal ganglia, common in typical antipsychotics.

Dystonia

A condition characterized by sustained repetitive movement, abnormal posture, and movements caused by cholinergic excess due to dopamine blockade.

Torticollis

A common dystonic reaction involving the twisting of the neck which prohibits swallowing.

Oculo gyrocrisis

A dystonic reaction where the eyes roll into the back of the eye socket.

Cog wheel rigidity

A type of stiffness in the arm characterized by slow, stiff, round movement.

Procyclidine

An intramuscular anticholinergic used to treat dystonia.

Akathisia

An inner restless feeling where the patient is agitated, needing to move, rock, or pace, often feeling frantic or panicked.

Pseudo Parkinsonism

Parkinson’s like symptoms including stooped posture, bradykinesia, resting tumour, shuffling like gait, and mask like face caused by an imbalance in acetylcholine.

Bradykinesia

A symptom of Pseudo Parkinsonism referring to slow movements.

Tardive Dyskinesia

A side effect appearing as smacking of the lips and tongue darting in and out, caused by super sensitivity of $D2$ receptor blockade.

Clozapine

An atypical antipsychotic considered when a patient on a typical antipsychotic develops tardive dyskinesia.

Tetrabenazine

A drug licensed for tardive dyskinesia that prevents the transport of dopamine and other monoamines into synaptic vesicles, though not commonly used due to causing depression.

Metabolic Syndrome

A cluster of conditions including visceral obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, low HDL cholesterol, and high triglycerides.

Metabolic Syndrome Waist Circumference Thresholds

A high measurement defined as $>35\,inch$ for females and $>40\,inch$ for males.

Metabolic Syndrome Triglyceride Criterion

A raised level of $>1.7\,mmol/L$.

Metabolic Syndrome HDL Cholesterol Thresholds

Reduced levels defined as $<1.29\,mmol/L$ for females and $<1.03\,mmol/L$ for males.

Metabolic Syndrome Blood Pressure Criteria

A Systolic reading of $>130\,mmHg$ or a Diastolic reading of $>85\,mmHg$.

Metabolic Syndrome Glucose Criterion

Raised fasting plasma glucose of $>5.6\,mmol/L$, often measured via HbA1c levels.

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)

A rare side effect causing rigid muscles, high fever, rapid breathing, and sudden onset; treated by stopping the antipsychotic and offering muscle relaxants.

Hyperprolactinemia

A side effect of antipsychotics which can result in breast milk production or gynecomastia in men.