neuroleptics (antipsychotics)
DESCRIPTION
Here is an overview of Antipsychotics,starting from basic pathophysiology of Psychosis and Schizophrenia,breifing the Neuropharmacology and lastly introduction of drugs with special reference to side effects and clincal uses.TRANSCRIPT
Mohsin Aziz 1
NEUROLEPTICS (ANTIPSYCHOTICS)
Mohsin Aziz 2
ANTIPSYCHOTICS / NEUROLEPTICSNeuroleptic: synonym for antipsychotic drug.
Antipsychotics are the drugs currently used in the prevention of psychosis.
They have also been termed neuroleptics, because they suppress motor activity and emotionality.
Mohsin Aziz 3
WHAT IS PSYCHOSIS……….????
Mohsin Aziz 4
PSYCHOSIS
Psychosis (from the Greek , psyche, "mind/soul", and -osis, "abnormal condition or derangement") refers to an abnormal condition of the mind.
A syndrome of chronic disordered thinking and disturbed behavior (schizophrenia, mania, depression)
The most important types of psychosis are:
• Schizophrenia• Affective disorders (e.g. depression, mania)• Organic psychoses (mental disturbances caused by head
injury, alcoholism, or other kinds of organic disease).
Mohsin Aziz 5
Mohsin Aziz 6
SCHIZOPHRENIA• A chronic mental disorder of a type
involving a breakdown in the relation between thought, emotion, and behaviour, leading to faulty perception, inappropriate actions and feelings, withdrawal from reality and personal relationships into fantasy and delusion, and a sense of mental fragmentation.
• The disorder is characterized by a divorcement from reality in the mind of the person (psychosis).
Mohsin Aziz 7
SYMPTOMSPOSITIVE SYMPTOMS:
• Delusions
• Hallucinations
• Combativeness
• Insomnia
Mohsin Aziz 8
SYMPTOMSNEGATIVE SYMPTOMS:
• Affective Flattening (blunt)
• Alogia
• Anhedonia
• Amotivation
• Apathy
• Asocial Behavior
Mohsin Aziz 9
SYMPTOMSDISORGANIZED SYMPTOMS:
• Disorganized thought,speech,behavior.
• Poor Attention.
Mohsin Aziz 10
TYPES OF SCHIZOPHRENIA• PARANOID : a person feels extremely suspicious (everyone
plotting against me), persecuted (opressed), grandiose ( great), or experiences a combination of these emotions.
• DISORGANIZED : a person is often incoherent but may not have delusions.
• CATATONIC : a person is withdrawn, mute, negative and often assumes very unusual postures ( motor symptoms).
• RESIDUAL : a person is no longer delusion or hallucinating (psychotic), but has no motivation or interest in life. These symptoms can be most devastating.
• UNDIFFERENTIATED : a person meet the criteria for schizophrenia but cant be classified as a particular type.
Mohsin Aziz 11
SCHIZOPHRENIA
Mohsin Aziz 12
Mohsin Aziz 13
DOPAMENERGIC SYSTEM:
There are four major pathways for the dopamenergic system in brain :I. The Nigro-Striatal
Pathway.
II. The Mesolimbic Pathway.
III. The Mesocortical Pathway.
IV. The Tuberoinfundibular Pathway.
ETIOLOGY
Mohsin Aziz 14
Mohsin Aziz 15
THE DOPAMINE HYPOTHESIS
Schizophrenia results from excess activity of dopamine neurotransmission in Mesolimbic and Mesocortical Pathways because:
All antipsychotic drugs block dopamine receptors.
Stimulant drugs which act through dopamine can produce schizophrenic-like behaviors (eg.amphetamines).
Levodopa, a dopamine precursor, can exacerbate schizophrenic symptoms, or occasionally elicit them in non-schizophrenic patients.
Higher levels of dopamine receptors measured in brains of schizophrenics by PET.
Brain [DA] increases during psychotic episodes but not during remissions.
Mohsin Aziz 16
THE DOPAMINE HYPOTHESIS
The role of dopamine in Schizophrenia is quite complex :
• Positive Symptoms are thought to be result of OVERACTIVITY in Mesolimbic pathway ( activating D2 receptors ).
• While, negative symptoms may result from a DECREASE ACTIVITY in Mesocortical pathway (D1 receptors).
• Nigrostriatal and Tuberoinfundibular pathways appear to be normal in Schizophrenia.
Mohsin Aziz 17
GLUTAMATE HYPOTHESIS
Glutamate : excitatory Neurotransmitter
NMDA Receptors : Ionotropic Glutamate Receptors
It is observed that NMDA hypofunction on one hand
• Decrease DA in Mesocortical Pathway so Increase Negative Symptoms
And on the other hand
• Increase DA in Mesolimbic Pathway , hence, Increase Positive Symptoms.
• Evidence : NMDA rec Antagonists (Phencyclidine,ketamine) produce both Positive and Negative Psychotic Symptoms.
Mohsin Aziz 18
SEROTONINE HYPOTHESIS• Many effective antipsychotic drugs, in addition to blocking
dopamine receptors, also act as 5-HT-receptor antagonists.
• Many 'atypical‘ antipsychotic drugs produce fewer extrapyramidal side effects than dopamine-selective compounds, as they also combine with 5-HT2A-receptors.
• Whether 5-HT2A-receptor blockade accounts directly for their antipsychotic effects, or merely reduces undesirable side effects associated with D2-receptor antagonists, remains controversial.
Mohsin Aziz 19
CLASSIFICATION OF ANTIPSYCHOTIC DRUGS
Typical antipsychotics
• Phenothiazines • e.g. chlorpromazine,
fluphenazine, thioridazine
• Butyrophenones • e.g. haloperidol,
droperidol
• Thioxanthines• e.g. chlorprotixen,
thiothixene
Atypical antipsychotics
• Clozapine• Risperidone• Sulpiride• Sertindole• Seroquel• Olanzapine• Quetiapine.
Mohsin Aziz 20
CLASSIFICATION
Distinction between ‘typical’ and ‘atypical’ groups is not clearly defined, but rests on:
• Incidence of extrapyramidal side-effects (less in ‘atypical’ group)
• Efficacy in treatment-resistant group of patients• Efficacy against negative symptoms.
Mohsin Aziz 21
DRUG TARGETSDopamine receptors: D1, D2, D3, D4, D5
Serotonin receptors: 5-HT-1A, 2A, 3, 6, 7
Norepinephrine: -1 & -2
Muscarinic acetylcholine: mACh-1 & 4
Histamine: H-1 & 2
Dopamine, norepinephrine & serotonin transporters
NMDA-glutamate receptor
Haloperidol Clozapine Risperidone Olanzapine
Quetiapine Ziprasidone
5HT2A D2 D1 Alpha 1 Musc H1 5HT1A (agonist)
Casey 1994
Atypical Antipsychotics In Vivo Binding Affinities
Mohsin Aziz 22
MECHANISM OF ACTION
• There are many type of DA-receptors (see upper).
• The antipsychotic drugs probably owe their therapeutic effects mainly to blockade of D2 receptors.
• The main groups, phenothiazines, thioxanthines and butyrophenones, show preference for D2 over D1 receptors; some newer agents (e.g. remoxipride) are highly selective for D2 receptors, whereas clozapine is relatively non-selective between D1 and D2, but has high affinity for D4.
• Most striatal neurons have D1 responses and most accumbens neurons have D2 responses.
Mohsin Aziz 23
MECHANISM OF ACTION
• Daily treatment with neuroleptics for several weeks produces a reversible cessation of firing of midbrain DA neurons. These inactivated neurons are said to be in a state of “depolarization block”.
• The time antipsychotics take for the clinical response to be manifested is thought to correlate with this delayed induction of depolarization blockade of mesolimbic DA neurons.
• DA-ergic blockade in basal ganglia (nigrostristal pathway) appears to cause the extrapyramidal symptoms, while that in tubero-hypophyseal pathway induces endocrine disorders, and in central trigger zone - is responsible for antiemetic action.
Mohsin Aziz 24
EFFECTS OF ANTIPSYCHOPTIC DRUGS1.Central Nervous System :• In a psychotic patients they reduce irrational behaviour, agitation and
aggressiveness and controls psychotic symptoms. Disturbed thought and behaviour are gradually normalised, anxiety is relieved. Hyperactivity, hallucinations and delusions are suppressed.
• All phenothiazines, thioxanthenes and butyrophenones have the same antipsychotic efficacy, but potency differs .
• Chlorpromazine, triflupromazine, thioridazine have low potency, produce more sedation and cause greater potentiation of hypnotics, opioids etc.
• The sedative effect is produced immediately while antipsychotic effect takes weeks to develop. Moreover, tolerance develops to the sedative but not to the antipsychotic effect.
Mohsin Aziz 25
EFFECTS OF ANTIPSYCHOPTIC DRUGS• antiemetic effect : inhibit chemoreceptor trigger zone or directly
depress the medullary vomiting center.
• temperature-regulating effect : produce hypothermia
2. Autonomic Nervous System :
Neuroleptics have varying degrees of
• α--adrenergic blocking activity clorpromazine=triflupromazine>thioridazine> fluphenazine>haloperidol>trifluoperazine>clozapine>pimozide.
• anticholinergic property of neurolrptics is weak and may be graded as thiridazine>chlorpromazine>triflupromazine>trifluoperazine=haloperidol
• The phenothiazines have weak H1- antihistaminic and anti-5-HT action as well.
Mohsin Aziz 26
EFFECTS OF ANTIPSYCHOPTIC DRUGS3.Local anaesthetic
• Chlorpromazine : potent a local anaesthetic.
• However, not used because of its irritant action.
4.Cerebrovascular system
• Produce hypotension (primarily postural) by α-adrenergic blocked.
• High doses of chlorpromazine : produce ECG changes – QT prolongation and suppression of T wave.
5.Endocrine system
• Increase prolactin : which may result in galactorrhea and gynecomastia. They reduce gonadotropin secretion but amenorrhea and infertility occur only occasionally.
• ACTH release in response to stress is diminish.
• Decreased release of ADH may result in an increase in urine volume.
TYPE MANIFESTATIONS MECHANISM
Autonomic nervous system
Dry mouth, loss of accommodation; difficulty urinating, constipation
Muscarinic blockade
Orthostatic hypotension, impotence, failure to ejaculate
Alpha adrenergic blockade
Central nervous system
Parkinson’s syndrome; akathisia, dystonia
Dopamine receptor blockade
Tardive dyskinesia Dopamine receptor supersensitivity
Toxic confusional state Muscarinic blockade
Endocrine system Galactorrhea; amenorrhea; infertility, impotence
Hyperprolactinemia secondary to dopamine receptor blockade
Mohsin Aziz 27
Mohsin Aziz 28
Mohsin Aziz 29
UNWANTED EFFECTS1.”Extrapyramidal” reactions include
a) Parkinsonism : usually of mild degree responds to anticholinergic drugs or amantadine.
b) Akathisia : is a subjective sense of restlessness usually (inability to sit) accompanied by mild to moderate motor hyperactivity, usually responds to α-adrenergic receptor antagonists, anticholinergics, antihistamines or amantadine.
Mohsin Aziz 30
UNWANTED EFFECTSAcute dystonia :
• Due to the blocked of DA-nergic nigrostriatal pathway.
• Reactions are involuntary movements (restlessness,muscle spasms, protruding tongue, fixed upward gaze, torticollis, etc.)
• Occur commonly in the first few weeks, often declining with time, and are reversible on stopping treatment.
Mohsin Aziz 31
UNWANTED EFFECTS• Tardive dyskinesia :
• develops after months or years in 20-40% of patients treated with typical antipsychotic drugs
• Irreversible and highly disabling.
• Involuntary and excessive oral-facial movements but also of trunk n limbs.
• it is associated with a gradual increase in the number of D2 receptor in striatum (up-regulation), which is less marked with the atypical antipsychotic drugs.
Mohsin Aziz 32
UNWANTED EFFECTS2.Endocrine effects
• DA released by neurons of the tuberoinfundibular pathway acts via D2 receptors as an inhibitor of prolactin.Thus blocking D2 receptors therefore increases the plasma prolactin concentration, resulting breast swelling, pain and lactation, which can occur in men as well as women.
3. Neuroleptic malignant syndrom :
• Rare but serious complication.
• It occurs in 1% to 2% of patients and is fatal in almost 10% of those affected.
• This is observed early in treatment and is characterized by a near complete collapse of the autonomic nervous system, causing, for example, fever, muscle rigidity, diaphoresis, mental confusion and cardiovascular instability.
• Immediate medical intervention with bromcriptine (DA agonist) and dantrolene is nessesary.
Mohsin Aziz 33
UNWANTED EFFECTS4. Sedation:
• Tends to decrease with continued use. Antihistaminic (H1) property of phenothiazines contributes to their sedative and antiemetic properties.
5.Peripheral effects.
• Blocking muscarinic receptors : produce blurring of vision and increased intraocular pressure, dry mouth and eyes, constipation and urinary retention.
• Blocking α-adrenoreceptors : orthostatic hypotension.
• Weight gain is a common and troublesome side-effect, probably related to 5-HT antagonism.
Mohsin Aziz 34
UNWANTED EFFECTS6.Idiosyncratic and hypersensitivity Reactions :
• Jaundice:
• with older phenothizines, such as chlorpromazine.
• usually mild,obstructive and reversible
• Leukopenia and agranulocytosis :
• rare, but potentially fatal, and occur in the first few weeks.
• The incidence of leukopenia (usually reversible) is higher (1-2%) with clozapine,provided the drug is stopped at the first sign of leukopenia or anemia, the effect is reversible.
• Olanzapine appears to be free of this disadvantage.
• Urticarial skin reactions are common but usually mild. Excessive sensitivity to ultraviolet light may also occur.
Mohsin Aziz 35
CLINICAL USESBehavioural emergencies
(e.g. violent patients with a range of psychopathologies including mania, toxic delirium, schizophrenia and others):
• classic antipsychotic drugs (e.g. chlorpromazine, haloperidol) can rapidly control hyperactive psychotic states
• note that the intramuscular dose is lower than the oral dose of the same drug because of presystemic metabolism.
Mohsin Aziz 36
CLINICAL USESSchizophrenia
• The major use of antipsychotic drugs is in the treatment of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders .
• The traditional neuroleptics are most effective in treating positive symptoms of schizophrenia (delusions, hallucination and thought disorders).
• The newer agents with 5-HT blocking activity (e.g.sulpirid ) are effective in many patients resistant to the traditional agent, especially in treating negative symptoms of schizophrenia and depression.
Mohsin Aziz 37
CLINCAL USES• Nausea and Vomiting :
• The neuroleptics (most commonly prochlor-perazine), are useful in treatment of drug induced nausea.
• Other uses :
• Neuroleptics are used in combination with narcotic analgetics for treatment of chronic pain with severe anxiety.
• Chlorpromazine is used to treat intractable hiccups.
• Droperidol is a component of neuroleptanesthesia.
• Prometathazine is not a good antipsychotic drug, but the agent is used in treating pruritus because of its antihistaminic properties.
Mohsin Aziz 38