A drug in its most basic form is defined as “a substance that alters the physiology of the body” (McKim, 2007, p. 1) and is comprised of a chemical name, a generic name and trade name. The chemical name is used by chemists to identify what the molecules of a drug looks like while the generic name is a shorter version of the chemical name. The trade name on the other hand, is the property of the company that sells the drug. The effect of a drug is thought to be related to its concentration in the body and not to the absolute amount of drug administered.
Psychoactive drugs affect the biochemical interactions that take place in and between neurons. Side effects of drugs are predominantly produced by their actions in the peripheral nervous system
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Clozapine is considered to be the prototype of atypical antipsychotics and is the most effective antipsychotic drug. Clozapine is a low dopamine receptor and has been proven effective as a mood stabilizer in treating “bipolar disorders that have not responded to mood stabilizers” (Diamond, 2009, p. 72). Clozapine has side effects, inclusive of weight gain, metabolic syndrome and increased risk of diabetes. In addition, clozapine is associated with fatal heat stroke, seizures and loss of white blood cells (Diamond, 2009). To combat the risks of identifying side effects, clozapine is usually started at 12.5 or 25 mg/day with a gradual slow increase thereafter.
Risperidone on the other hand, is inexpensive, and is predominantly used to treat schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. It has, however, been thought to be effective in decreasing negative and cognitive symptoms and has demonstrated usefulness in treating bipolar disorder, some depression and anxiety conditions, and autism. Common side effects experienced with risperidone includes, weight gain and elevation of prolactin, which may result in amenorrhea in women and breast enlargement in men and
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More specifically, Bipolar disorder is defined in accordance with the DSM 5 as a prominent and persistent period of abnormally elevated, expansive, or irritable mood and abnormally increased activity or energy that predominates in the clinical picture; there is evidence from the history, physical examination, or laboratory findings that the disturbance is the direct pathophysiological consequence of another medical condition; the disturbance is not better explained by another mental disorder; the disturbance does not occur exclusively during the course of delirium; and the disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning, or necessitates hospitalization to prevent harm to self or others, or there are psychotic features (DSM-5,
Jorge did not have any documented or reported drug adverse reaction or medication side effects that required medical treatment during this quarter. His current medication regimen appears to be effective.
Diamond in chapters 4, 7 and 9, looks at antipsychotic medications, medications useful for anxiety disorders and sleep problems and medication for people with borderline personality disorder respectively. Antipsychotic medications are profiled as second generation or first generation. Among the identified second generation antipsychotic medications are clozapine, risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, ziprasidone, aripiprazole and paliperidone. Clozapine is considered tpo be the most effective antipsychotic drug and has been proven effective as a mood stabilizer in treating “bipolar disorders that have not responded to mood stabilizers” (p. 72). Clozapine has side effects including those of weight gain, metabolic syndrome and increased risk
Antipsychotic drugs such lithium is one that is commonly prescribed to help reduce anger, threatening behavior, outbursts, and combativeness in ASPD. It alters sodium transport and inhibits neuronal signaling that dials down the activity of hyperactive circuits involved in producing mania (Vallerand, Sanoski, & Deglin, 2017). Lithium dosage is PO in tablets or capsules at 300-600mg TID for adults but precise dosing is based on serum lithium levels. Side effects include polyuria, polydipsia, diarrhea, mild ataxia, leukocytosis, renal toxicity, drowsiness, and weight gain.
In 1955, antipsychotic medications were introduced to help mental disorders. These medications are usually taken orally in which help relieve symptoms for periods of days. The misuse or abuse of the medications are low. There are three generations of antipsychotic medications. The first generation is known for reducing hallucinations and delusions, but not affecting problems like disorientation or depression. An example would be chlorpromazine, brand name being Thorazine. Some negative side effects of taking the first generation drugs are Parkinson’s-like symptoms, tardive dyskinesia, and weight gain. Next, the second generation drugs minimized the outcome of the individual getting Parkinson’s-like symptoms. An example of this generation would be Clozaril. “A unique feature of Clozaril is the 1 to 2 percent chance of developing a potentially lethal blood disease called agranulocytosis” (Levinthal 282). This disease decreases white blood cells and affects the immune system. If early signs of this disease start to appear the patient will stop taking Clozaril and recover. Lastly, the third generation has shown to be the most effective on schizophrenia. Abilify is an example of this generation drug. It does not have a risk of Parkinson’s, tardive dyskinesia, or diabetes. Abilify blocks specific serotonin receptors in which prevents negative side effects from happening. These different
Resperidone and Abilify are classified as second generational antipsychotic drugs. Resperidone is a dopamine blocker with minimal sedation (Preston, et al., 2017). Additionally, the side affects that can occur and not limited to involves vision difficulties, hypersensitivity and liver complications (Advokat, et al., 2014). Furthermore, Resperidone is commonly used in patients exhibiting symptoms of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and some cases of autism (Advokat, et al., 2014). Abilify is less sedating and can cause nausea, anxiety (Preston, et al., 2017). Abilify not only treats schizophrenia but is also used to aid in depression
Antipsychotics are medications that physicians use to treat psychotic disorders such as Schizophrenia, Delusional disorder, Paraphrenia, and Substance-induced psychotic disorders. These disorders are characterised by the patient’s inability to make good judgments, think with a clear head, communicate effectively, relate to society, and understand reality. Antipsychotic drugs are also useful in the treatment of bipolar conditions that involve extreme cases of manic behaviour. Examples of these drugs include Thorazine and Trilafon. These drugs belong to a drug class called phenothiazines. They work by changing the actions of chemicals in the brain. The drugs can be beneficial, however, Steen et al. (2014) argue that the medicines have several harmful effects such as changes
Controlled medication definition: A controlled medication is something defined by the Federal Government, through the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). Controlled medications include treatments for anxiety (like Valium and Ativan), for pain (like Oxycontin), and for ADHD (like Ritalin or Adderall)
Valproate. Valproate is a common anticonvulsant drug and mood stabilizer used to treat bipolar disorder (Atmaca, 2009). It is now becoming the first line of defense when treating bipolar disorder as well as being approved by the FDA. It is useful for patients who suffer from atypical and mixed mood phases. Like Lithium, Valproate does come with side effects. Valproate side effects include hair loss, rashes, weight gain, and tremors. However, these side effects are reduced by monitoring serum levels (Dreifuss & Langer, 1988). Additionally, similar to lithium, testing is also required with Valproate.
Antipsychotics are generally used to treat psychosis in mental disorders. These disorders include schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (Thyssen et al., 2010). Risperidone is known as an atypical second generation antipsychotic and used in the treatment of a multitude of disorders. This medication can often challenge behavioral problems that are associated with schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (Schatzberg & Nemeroff, 2013). It is important for the prescriber to be aware of the side effect and any possible adverse reactions that may occur. There can be many detrimental side effects that someone may not enjoy,
Traditional antipsychotics are good at reducing the positive symptoms, but do not reduce the negative symptoms and are classified in low-potency and high-potency which can cause many side effects like; dry mouth, tremors, weight gain, muscle tremors, stiffness, motor disturbances, parkinsonian effects, akathisia, dystonia, akinesia, tardive dyskinesia, and neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
Antipsychotic drugs are classified as either typical or atypical, based on their relative potency and side-effects. This classification is usually substituted with referring to typical as first generation and atypical as second generation, due to atypicals comparatively safer side-effects. However, it has been argued that due to the severe side-effects of both, the amount individual variation between psychotic patients, the patient’s tolerance to individual drugs, and the fact that antipsychotics treat symptoms rather than the psychosis, it might be better to class the drugs in regards to their mechanisms rather than their relative potencies [6][7]. Typical antipsychotics antagonise the D2 receptors and atypical antipsychotics target the D2 receptors among others (e.g. D3 and 5HT2 receptors).
This drug is used as an antidepressant. Anxiety, dizziness, blurred vision, dry mouth, diarrhea, and weight gain or loss are common effects of the medications and with aging. But serious effects such as fever; seizures, tremors, chest pain, hepatic necrosis, renal failure, abnormal bleeding, and infection should be cautioned. The dosage of this medication should not be prescribed more than 40 mg daily. Monitoring for mental changes when taking this medication is needed. It should be cautioned to watch for a change in behavior from depression into a mental illness. If this occurs medical attention is needed. Nurses should also assess elderly patients taking diuretics for signs of suggesting syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic
There are three different types of antidepressants; SSRIS, SNRIS, and Tricyclics (Steven M. Melemis, PH.D.M.D.). This shows that the same antidepressant medication doesn't work for everyone, however, there hope because they can always try a different type. Research shows,”Antidepressants are designed to block various aspects of the synaptic transmission process in serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine-containing neurons in the brain. This increases the levels of these neurotransmitters. By increasing the levels of these neurotransmitters, mood and emotions should stabilize and perhaps return to normal” (Craig Freudenrich, PH.D.). This piece of evidence proves that antidepressants can help a person cope with their emotions by reducing the negative chemicals and increasing the neurotransmitters in a person's brain. Even though antidepressants can be very successful at treating depression, there are still some side effects that
Bipolar disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), is “a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels,” and
Clozapine and other antipsychotics medications usually lower the seizure threshold in patients with epilepsy (Pacia 1994). It was reported that antipsychotics showed another fatal side effect which is Neuropleptic malignant syndrome which includes symptoms such as rigidity, changes in blood pressure, confusion, unconsciousness, increased heart rate, abnormal liver functioning. (Guze1985). Antipsychotics can cause severe constipation which can even lead to bowel occlusion and death (De Hert 2011). Ischemic cholitis may also result (Shah 2013). Sedation (McManus 1999, Datto 2009), hypersalivation (Fritze1995), fever (Kohen 2009), nausea (Warner 1994), may also occur. Other lesser common side effects reported for clozapine include Colitis, Heat