OP 2025/2026 NSG 552
T
Psychopharmacology Exam with Q&A
100% ACCURATE
hat are the 6 general principles of psychopharmacological treatment?
W
Safety
Tolerability
Efficacy
Practicality
Treatment accessibility
Treatment compliance
Pharmacokinetics
How the drug moves in the body. (ex. Where is it absorbed? How and where is it
metabolized? Where is it excreted?)
Pharmacodynamics
What the drug does to the body. (consider the mechanism of action)
Define First-generation antipsychotics
Referred to as Typical Antipsychotics. Most have strong bonds with D2 receptors only,
cause EPS symptoms faster due to prolonged receptor dissociation, have more
dangerous side effect profiles, have been around longer, more effective at treating
positive symptoms, less expensive. (Ex. Haloperidol, Chlorpromazine, Thioridazine,
Fluphenazine)
Define Second-generation antipsychotics
Referred to as Atypical Antipsychotics. Most have a weak bond with D2 receptors and
block serotonin receptors leading to anti-depressive and anxiolytic effects. They cause
less EPS due to rapid receptor disassociation which leads to rapid dopamine
neurotransmission. Have less dangerous side effect profiles but can cause metabolic
syndromes, have been around shorter time, more expensive, more effective at treating
negative symptoms but can treat positive symptoms as well, long-acting injections are
available for several of these. (Ex. Risperidone, Clozapine, Quetiapine, Aripiprazole,
Ziprasidone)
Extra Pyramidal Symptoms (EPS)
Side effects caused by certain antipsychotic medications, which include:involuntary or
uncontrollable movements.tremors.muscle contractions.
Tardive dyskinesia
A neurological disorder characterizes by involuntary movement of the face and jaw.
, pregulation
U
Occurs through chronic use of antagonists which causes an increase in the number of
receptors, externalization of receptors, and increased sensitivity of the receptors.
Prolonged use of antagonist -> Up-regulation of receptors -> Sudden withdrawal
of antagonist -> increased number of receptors and increased sensitivity of
receptors *YOU MUST GRADUALLY TAPER A DRUG TO AVOID BINDING TO ALL
NEW RECEPTORS FROM UPREGULATION
Down-regulation
Occurs by chronic exposure of agonists which causes decreased number of receptors,
internalization of receptors, and decreased sensitivity of the receptors.Prolonged use
of agonist -> down-regulation of receptors -> decreased effectiveness of
agonist-mediated clinical response.
You have two options:
1 Increase the drug dose OR2Switch to another drug(BESTOPTION)
Receptor profile
The receptors that each drug binds to
(For example, risperidone's receptor profile would like...
(a) Blockade of 5HT2A and D2 receptors
(b) High affinity for a1, a2, and H1 receptors)
Binding
Refers to a drug metabolite or neurotransmitter attaching to a receptor
Affinity
refers to the "preference" or likelihood of a drug to bind to a certain receptor. Linked to
potency.
CYP450
A group of enzymes in the liver that metabolize different drugs. There are six.
List the 7 CYP450 Enzymes
(1) CYP1A2
(2) CYP2B6
(3) CYP2C9
(4) CYP2C19
(5) CYP2D6
(6) CYP3A4
(7) CYP2EI
CYP2B6
Metabolizes artemisinin, bupropion, cyclophosphamide, efavirenz, ketamine, and
methadone (2B6, there are two psych drugs (bupropion, methadone (ketamine...?) and
six altogether.
CYP1A2
metabolizes AcetAminophen (two As)
T
Psychopharmacology Exam with Q&A
100% ACCURATE
hat are the 6 general principles of psychopharmacological treatment?
W
Safety
Tolerability
Efficacy
Practicality
Treatment accessibility
Treatment compliance
Pharmacokinetics
How the drug moves in the body. (ex. Where is it absorbed? How and where is it
metabolized? Where is it excreted?)
Pharmacodynamics
What the drug does to the body. (consider the mechanism of action)
Define First-generation antipsychotics
Referred to as Typical Antipsychotics. Most have strong bonds with D2 receptors only,
cause EPS symptoms faster due to prolonged receptor dissociation, have more
dangerous side effect profiles, have been around longer, more effective at treating
positive symptoms, less expensive. (Ex. Haloperidol, Chlorpromazine, Thioridazine,
Fluphenazine)
Define Second-generation antipsychotics
Referred to as Atypical Antipsychotics. Most have a weak bond with D2 receptors and
block serotonin receptors leading to anti-depressive and anxiolytic effects. They cause
less EPS due to rapid receptor disassociation which leads to rapid dopamine
neurotransmission. Have less dangerous side effect profiles but can cause metabolic
syndromes, have been around shorter time, more expensive, more effective at treating
negative symptoms but can treat positive symptoms as well, long-acting injections are
available for several of these. (Ex. Risperidone, Clozapine, Quetiapine, Aripiprazole,
Ziprasidone)
Extra Pyramidal Symptoms (EPS)
Side effects caused by certain antipsychotic medications, which include:involuntary or
uncontrollable movements.tremors.muscle contractions.
Tardive dyskinesia
A neurological disorder characterizes by involuntary movement of the face and jaw.
, pregulation
U
Occurs through chronic use of antagonists which causes an increase in the number of
receptors, externalization of receptors, and increased sensitivity of the receptors.
Prolonged use of antagonist -> Up-regulation of receptors -> Sudden withdrawal
of antagonist -> increased number of receptors and increased sensitivity of
receptors *YOU MUST GRADUALLY TAPER A DRUG TO AVOID BINDING TO ALL
NEW RECEPTORS FROM UPREGULATION
Down-regulation
Occurs by chronic exposure of agonists which causes decreased number of receptors,
internalization of receptors, and decreased sensitivity of the receptors.Prolonged use
of agonist -> down-regulation of receptors -> decreased effectiveness of
agonist-mediated clinical response.
You have two options:
1 Increase the drug dose OR2Switch to another drug(BESTOPTION)
Receptor profile
The receptors that each drug binds to
(For example, risperidone's receptor profile would like...
(a) Blockade of 5HT2A and D2 receptors
(b) High affinity for a1, a2, and H1 receptors)
Binding
Refers to a drug metabolite or neurotransmitter attaching to a receptor
Affinity
refers to the "preference" or likelihood of a drug to bind to a certain receptor. Linked to
potency.
CYP450
A group of enzymes in the liver that metabolize different drugs. There are six.
List the 7 CYP450 Enzymes
(1) CYP1A2
(2) CYP2B6
(3) CYP2C9
(4) CYP2C19
(5) CYP2D6
(6) CYP3A4
(7) CYP2EI
CYP2B6
Metabolizes artemisinin, bupropion, cyclophosphamide, efavirenz, ketamine, and
methadone (2B6, there are two psych drugs (bupropion, methadone (ketamine...?) and
six altogether.
CYP1A2
metabolizes AcetAminophen (two As)
