MENTAL HEALTH

Mental Health

Abstract

The role of antipsychotic drugs is very important in mental health care department. These drugs are used for the management of acute and chronic psychiatric conditions, such as schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. This paper would describe the role of antipsychotic drugs in the management of psychotic disorders, dosage, drug interactions, and side effects as well as the mechanism of action of these drugs.

Mental Health

Introduction

An antipsychotic drug is a medication used to treat psychosis, delusions and hallucinations, especially in schizophrenia as well as in bipolar disorder. A first generation of these drugs is called as typical antipsychotics. The second generation is called as atypical antipsychotics. Both types of antipsychotics block dopamine or serotonin pathways. These drugs causes various undesired effects such as extrapyramidal effects including akathisia, trembling or muscle weakness, gynecomastia, galactorrhea, agranulocytosis, tardive dyskinesia, sexual dysfunction, diabetes. Withdrawal symptoms include agitation, insomnia, psychosis, and some type of motor disorders (Goldberg, 2009)

Common conditions in which antipsychotics are used are schizophrenia, delusional disorder, psychotic depression, autism spectrum disorders, Tourette syndrome, dementia and bipolar disorder. These drugs are given to inpatients and outpatients through all the routes such as orally, intramuscularly and intravenously, whatever is convenient for the patient and health care professionals. Below some typical antipsychotics and atypical antipsychotics are described, which are mostly prescribed in mental health care departments (Goldberg, 2009). Each drug is defined with its mechanism, indications, dosage, drug interactions, and possible side effects.

Haloperidol

Drug Class and Mechanism

It is an antipsychotic drug, used to control vocal utterances and tics in Tourette's syndrome. Haloperidol interferes with neurotransmitters in the brain. Haloperidol blocks the dopamine and serotonin type 2 receptors in the brain (Rothschild , 2009).

Indications

Haloperidol is used for treating mental/mood disorders such as:

Acute psychosis.

Schizophrenia.

Schizoaffective disorders.

Tourette's syndrome (Rothschild , 2009).

Dosage

For schizophrenia, daily 0.5-5 mg up to a maximum 30 mg, two or three times daily.

The lactate solution recommended dose is 2-5 mg after every 4-8 hours by IM injection, or IV injection at 1-2 mg after every 2-4 hours.

The maximum daily dose is 500 mg daily.

For Tourette's syndrome , 0.5-5 mg, two or three times daily (Rothschild , 2009).

Drug Interactions

Haloperidol interacts with alcohol and other drugs and increases their sedative effects such as:

Diazepam.

Lorazepam .

Clonazepamal.

Prazolam.

Hydrocodone.

Acetaminophen.

Codeine.

Imipramine.

Amitriptyline.

Diphenhydramine.

Carbamazepine increases the elimination of haloperidol, may decrese its effects. Rifampin decreases the elimination of haloperidol (Rothschild , 2009).

Side Effects

The side effects are mostly extrapyramidal effects such as:

Jerky, involuntary motions of the neck, head, arms, and eyes.

Hyperactivity.

Dizziness.

Tiredness .

Insomnia.

Nausea and weight gain.

Gynecomastia.

Menstrual irregularities.

Erectile dysfunction.

Dry mouth.

Constipation.

Orthostatic hypotension (Rothschild , 2009).

Chlorpromazine

Drug Class and Mechanism

It is an antipsychotic drug, producing antidopaminergic, anticholinergic, antihistaminic, and antiadrenergic effects. It is used to control symptoms of mental or emotional conditions. It is also used for hiccups, anxiety, nausea and vomiting.

Indications

It is prescribed for the management of:

Chronic psychoses.

Schizophrenia.

Bipolar disorder (Rothschild , 2009).

Dosage

25 mg orally or IM for mild sedation, re-administered after every 8 hours

100 mg re-administered every 6 hours for severe symptoms (Rothschild , 2009).

Drug Interactions

Interacts with other anti-depressants and anti-anxiety ...