This document discusses antipsychotic drugs, including their classification, mechanisms of action, indications, side effects, and the nurse's role in monitoring patients taking these medications. It outlines that antipsychotics can reduce psychotic symptoms in conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. They work by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain. Common side effects include anticholinergic effects, hormonal effects, extrapyramidal symptoms, and tardive dyskinesia with long term use. Nurses must closely monitor patients for any side effects or complications and ensure they receive their medications accurately.
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Antipsychotic drugs
1. Mr. Ashok Kumar
Msc nursing 1st year
(Pal college of nursing and
medical science)
2. ANTI PSYCHOTIC AGENTS
Anti psychotic agents are the one type of psychotropic
drugs
Anti psychotic agents are also known as
neuroleptics,major tranquillizer, or phenothaiazines
This group of drugs has a major clinical use in the
treatment of psychosis
Psychosis is a state in which a person ability to
recognize reality ,to communicate and to relate to
other is severely impaired
3. INTRODUCTION
Antipsychotic drugs are able to reduce psychotic
symptoms in a wide variety of conditions, including
schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, psychotic depression
and drug induced psychosis.
They have also been termed narcoleptics, because they
suppress motor activity and emotionality.
** These drugs are not a cure **
Psychotic diseases are life long and it is preferable to
prevent the psychotic episodes than to treat them.
5. INDICATION AND USE
Antipsychotic agents are commonly used in following
condition ;
schizophrenia disorder
paranoid disorder
mania
organic dementia
acute brain syndrome
Symptoms for which antipsychotic or neuroleptic drugs are
used include impaired communication, inability to relate
to other, delusion ,hallucination and inability to identify
reality, disordered thinking and emotional withdrawal
6. MECHANISM OF ACTION
The exact mechanism is not known.
Blocking postsynaptic dopamine receptors in the basal
ganglia, hypothalamus, limbic system, brainstem, and
medulla.
Newer medications may exert antipsychotic properties
by blocking action on receptors specific to dopamine,
serotonin, and other neurotransmitters.
Inhibition of Dopamine mediated transmission of
neural impulses
7. CONTRAINDICATION
Antipsychotic are contraindicated in children under
three years of age, comatose patient, patient with
drugs hypersensitivity, severe depression and bone
marrow depression
Antipsychotic agents should be used cautiously in
patient with a history of
epilepsy,pregnancy,parkinsons disease, peptic ulcer
8. SIDE EFFECT
Ant cholinergic effects
Dry mouth
Blurred vision
Constipation
Urinary retention
Nausea
Skin rash
Sedation
Orthostatic hypotension
Photosensitivity
9. SIDE EFFECT
Hormonal effects
Decreased libido, retrograde ejaculation,
gynecomastia, Amenorrhea, weight gain.
ECG changes: prolongation of the QT interval, are
possible with most of the antipsychotics.
Caution: patient with arrhythmias
Reduction of seizure threshold.
Agranulocytosis
Clozapine: weekly/biweekly blood investigation.
Hyper salivation (Clozapine)
10. EXTRA PYRAMIDAL SYMPTOMS (EPS)
Pseudo parkinsonism
Tremor, shuffling gait, drooling, rigidity.
1-5 days after initiation of antipsychotics
Akinesia-muscular weakness
Akathisia-continuous restlessness and fidgeting (50-
60 days after initiation of therapy)
Dystonia-involuntary muscular movement of
face,arms,legs and neck
Men; <25
11. EXTRA PYRAMIDAL SYMPTOMS (EPS)
Hyperglycemia and diabetes more common with
atypical antipsychotic drugs
Oculogyric crisis- uncontrolled rolling back of the eyes
Treated as emergency
Physician should be contacted immediately
IV benztropine mesyulate
12. EXTRA PYRAMIDAL SYMPTOMS (EPS)
Tardive dyskinesia -This occurs due to abrupt termination or
reduction of the antipsychotic drugs after long term high dose
therapy .stereotyped movements, protrusion of the tongue,
puffing of cheeks and involuntary movement of extremities and
trunk
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
Symptoms include-
Severe parkinsonian muscle ridigidity
Hyperpyrexia Up to 1070C, tachycardia, tachypnea
Fluctuations in blood pressure, diaphoresis, and rapid
deterioration of mental status to stupor and coma.
13. NURSES ROLE
Nurses is very significant in the therapeutic effect of the
drugs, early observation and prevention of
complications
Close observation
Extra pyramidal reaction
Observe drowsiness
Record blood pressure
Accurate route of medication
14. NURSES ROLE
Dry mouth may be reduced
Blurred and impaired vision causes anxiety
encouraged to inform these symptoms immediately
Weight record
Intake and output chart
Protect his skin
Menstrual change
Reassurance to relatives