ANTIPSYCHOTIC AGENTS AND THEIR USE IN SCHIZOPHRENIA AND MAJOR
DRUGS OF ABUSE OTHER THAN ALCOHOL AND NICOTINE STUDY GUIDE
i. The popularity of heroin is related to its high lipid solubility, which allows the drug to
cross the BBB, thereby producing effects that are both immediate and intense.
ii. People who abuse meperidine usually choose this drug because of its distinct advantages of
no needle signs, less miosis, and less issues with GI function.
iii. The classic triad of opioid toxicity includes respiratory depression, coma, and pinpoint
pupils.
iv. What is the long-acting opioid antagonist that is an alternative to naloxone? Methadone
v. Overdosing with barbiturates produces a triad of symptoms: respiratory depression, coma,
and pinpoint pupils.
vi. Overdosing with what CNS depressant causes restlessness, hypertonia, and
convulsions? Cocaine
,vii. Although no specific antidote to cocaine toxicity is available, most symptoms can be
controlled with drugs. These drugs include intravenous diazepam or lorazepam, IV
nitroprusside, hypertonic sodium bicarbonate, anti-cocaine vaccine, and Disulfiram.
viii. The major psychoactive substance in Cannabis sativa is delta-9-tetrahydocannabinol.
ix. Chronic excessive use of marijuana is associated with a behavioral phenomenon known as
amotivational syndrome, which is characterized by apathy, dullness, poor grooming,
reduced interest in achievement, and disinterest in the pursuit of conventional goals.
x. Approved therapeutic uses for THC include suppression of emesis, appetite stimulation,
and relief of neuropathic pain.
1. All of the conventional antipsychotic drugs can cause serious movement disorders called
extrapyramidal systems.
2. The term potency refers only to the size of the dose needed to elicit a given response. It has
nothing to do with the maximal effect a drug can produce.
3. Why do we distinguish between potencies? Although these agents produce
, identical antipsychotic effects, they differ significantly in side effects.
4. Typically, the patient with acute dystonia develops laryngeal dystonia, oculogyric crisis,
and opisthotonus. Initial treatment consists of anticholinergic medications.
5. Neuroleptic-induced parkinsonism is treated with some of the drugs used for
Parkinson’s disease. However, levodopa and direct dopamine must not be used, because
they will counteract the beneficial effects of the antipsychotic treatment.
6. Akathisia is characterized by pacing and squirming brought on by an uncontrollable need to
be in motion. The three drugs used to suppress symptoms include beta blockers,
benzodiazepines, and anticholinergic drugs.
7. Tardive dyskinesia is characterized by involuntary chore athetoid movements of the
tongue and face.
8. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is characterized by lead pipe rigidity, high fever, sweating,
and autonomic instability. Death can result from respiratory failure, cardiovascular collapse,
dysrhythmias, and other causes.
9. Phenothiazines was the first modern antipsychotic medication.
DRUGS OF ABUSE OTHER THAN ALCOHOL AND NICOTINE STUDY GUIDE
i. The popularity of heroin is related to its high lipid solubility, which allows the drug to
cross the BBB, thereby producing effects that are both immediate and intense.
ii. People who abuse meperidine usually choose this drug because of its distinct advantages of
no needle signs, less miosis, and less issues with GI function.
iii. The classic triad of opioid toxicity includes respiratory depression, coma, and pinpoint
pupils.
iv. What is the long-acting opioid antagonist that is an alternative to naloxone? Methadone
v. Overdosing with barbiturates produces a triad of symptoms: respiratory depression, coma,
and pinpoint pupils.
vi. Overdosing with what CNS depressant causes restlessness, hypertonia, and
convulsions? Cocaine
,vii. Although no specific antidote to cocaine toxicity is available, most symptoms can be
controlled with drugs. These drugs include intravenous diazepam or lorazepam, IV
nitroprusside, hypertonic sodium bicarbonate, anti-cocaine vaccine, and Disulfiram.
viii. The major psychoactive substance in Cannabis sativa is delta-9-tetrahydocannabinol.
ix. Chronic excessive use of marijuana is associated with a behavioral phenomenon known as
amotivational syndrome, which is characterized by apathy, dullness, poor grooming,
reduced interest in achievement, and disinterest in the pursuit of conventional goals.
x. Approved therapeutic uses for THC include suppression of emesis, appetite stimulation,
and relief of neuropathic pain.
1. All of the conventional antipsychotic drugs can cause serious movement disorders called
extrapyramidal systems.
2. The term potency refers only to the size of the dose needed to elicit a given response. It has
nothing to do with the maximal effect a drug can produce.
3. Why do we distinguish between potencies? Although these agents produce
, identical antipsychotic effects, they differ significantly in side effects.
4. Typically, the patient with acute dystonia develops laryngeal dystonia, oculogyric crisis,
and opisthotonus. Initial treatment consists of anticholinergic medications.
5. Neuroleptic-induced parkinsonism is treated with some of the drugs used for
Parkinson’s disease. However, levodopa and direct dopamine must not be used, because
they will counteract the beneficial effects of the antipsychotic treatment.
6. Akathisia is characterized by pacing and squirming brought on by an uncontrollable need to
be in motion. The three drugs used to suppress symptoms include beta blockers,
benzodiazepines, and anticholinergic drugs.
7. Tardive dyskinesia is characterized by involuntary chore athetoid movements of the
tongue and face.
8. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is characterized by lead pipe rigidity, high fever, sweating,
and autonomic instability. Death can result from respiratory failure, cardiovascular collapse,
dysrhythmias, and other causes.
9. Phenothiazines was the first modern antipsychotic medication.
