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Introduction 

There are many intricacies surrounding mental health conditions, notably psychosis. Can you imagine being placed into an anti-gravity machine without holding on to any sort of anchor? I imagine this loss of control would be terrifying. Similarly, psychosis can disorient and destabilize patients, as they have lost their grip on reality and their perceptions are no longer reliable. Psychosis is characterized by hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and impaired social functioning.  

The use of antipsychotics has resulted in decreased mortality and improved patient’s quality-of-life; however, adverse drug reactions from these drugs are major challenges in treating patients with psychotic disorders (2). 

In this course, we will review conditions associated with psychosis and explore the crucial role of antipsychotic medications in restoring stability and fostering recovery. Through a comprehensive understanding of antipsychotics and their uses, mechanisms of action, adverse reactions, and contraindications, prescribers can play a pivotal role in administering these treatments with precision and compassion. The ultimate goal is to empower patients to regain their footing and take back control over their lives. 

Case Study 

Lilly, age 36, presents to the urgent care clinic with complaints of a large and bleeding laceration on her tongue, which she got from biting her tongue while eating earlier this evening. She reports, “I guess you have to take the good with the bad”, which puzzles you, but you decide not to further question what this means right now. While reviewing her chart, you note a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder. 

Medical History: Lilly's medical history is significant for a family history of mental illness. Her paternal grandmother was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Lilly has been on antipsychotic medication since her diagnosis 10 years ago, with varying degrees of success in managing her symptoms. Lilly has struggled with medication adherence, often discontinuing the medication due to side effects or a belief that she no longer needed treatment.  

Current Presentation: At present, Lilly reports strict adherence to her medication regimen with exacerbation of her symptoms for four years, and grateful that her paranoia and auditory hallucinations have reduced in frequency. She also states, “I cannot remember what the physician told me about the medication side effects, but it cannot be as frightening as my life had become.” She has a history of delusions and hallucinations, accompanied by long-term depression and anxiety.  

Overview of Psychosis 

Instead of reviewing all mental health conditions, we will examine psychosis, as treatment of this symptom is one of the main goals for antipsychotics. Psychosis can be described as a burden of interruption to an individual’s thoughts and perceptions that make it difficult for them to recognize what is real and what isn’t. Most people who have experienced psychosis describe it as frightening and confusing. 

Psychosis is actually a symptom, not an illness. As many as 3 in 100 people will have an episode of psychosis at some point in their lives (8). This symptom can be present in different conditions. 

Early or first-episode psychosis (FEP) refers to the initial occurrence of the symptom of distortion of reality. 

Psychopathology  

Mental health professionals need the ability to carefully assess and precisely describe signs and symptoms in a qualified manner. Psychopathology is a discipline that applies systematic methods to study abnormal functioning of psychic activity, with the intent to elaborate subdivisions, classifications, and theories, to identify the causes of mental illnesses.  

Psychopathology applies direct observation of the clinical manifestations of mental illnesses to diagnostic systems (e.g., Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5) which outlines signs, symptoms, and features that are required to establish a diagnosis. 

Psychopathology can be broadly divided into two main subgroups (3): 

1. Descriptive psychopathology - involves the description and denomination of mental states and abnormal behaviors of the patient, carefully removing theoretical assumptions and personal interpretations. 
2. Interpretative psychopathology - the understanding of a human subjective experiences and attempting to explain these features using theoretical models. 

Early Warning Signs Before Psychosis 

Early psychosis or FEP rarely has a sudden onset. Typically, an individual has gradual, non-specific changes in thoughts and perceptions.  

Early warning signs include the following (8): 

• Difficulty concentrating 
• Suspiciousness or uneasiness with others 
• Poor self-care or personal hygiene 
• Isolation 
• A worrisome change in job performance completion of typical duties 
• Strong, inappropriate emotions or the absence of response or emotions at all 

Signs Of Early or First-Episode Psychosis 

It can be difficult to pinpoint the initial episode of psychosis, but these signs and symptoms strongly indicate an episode of psychosis: 

• Hearing, seeing, tasting, or believing things that others don’t 
• Persistent, unusual thoughts or beliefs that can’t be set aside regardless of what others believe 
• Strong and inappropriate emotions or no emotions at all 
• Withdrawing from family or friends 
• A sudden decline in self-care 
• Trouble thinking clearly or concentrating 

Such warning signs often point to a person’s deteriorating health, and a physical and neurological evaluation can help find the problem. A mental health professional performing a psychological evaluation can determine if a mental health condition is involved and discuss next steps. If the psychosis is a symptom of a mental health condition, early action helps to keep lives on track. 

Psychosis 

Psychosis includes a range of symptoms but typically involves one of these two major experiences (6): 

Hallucinations - seeing, hearing, or feeling things that aren’t there, such as the following: 

• Hearing voices (auditory hallucinations) 
• Seeing glimpses of objects or people that are not there or distortions 

Delusions - strong beliefs that are not consistent and unlikely to be true, and may seem irrational to others, such as the following (6): 

• Believing external forces are controlling thoughts, feelings, and behaviors 
• Believing that trivial remarks, events, objects have personal meaning or significance 
• Thinking you have special powers or even that you are God 

Causes of Psychosis 

The medical and research community is still learning about how and why psychosis develops, but several factors are thought to be involved.  

Several factors that can contribute to psychosis: 

• Genetics
  • Many genes can contribute to the development of psychosis, but just because a person has a gene doesn’t mean they will experience psychosis. Ongoing studies will help us better understand which genes play a role in psychosis. 
• Trauma 
  • A traumatic event such as a death, war, or sexual assault can trigger a psychotic episode. The type of trauma—and a person’s age—affects whether a traumatic event will result in psychosis. 
• Substance use 
  • The use of marijuana, LSD, amphetamines, and other substances can increase the risk of psychosis in people who are already vulnerable. 
• Physical illness or injury 
  • Traumatic brain injuries, brain tumors, strokes, HIV, and some brain diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and dementia can sometimes cause psychosis. 
• Mental health conditions 
  • Sometimes psychosis is a symptom of a condition like schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, or depression. 

These mental health problems have catastrophic effects on an individual’s life. Schizophrenia (SCZ) and bipolar disorder (BPD) are two of the most relevant mental disorders when focusing on functional impairment (3). There are significant implications for poor long-term functional outcomes, such as lower rates of employment, difficulties in living independently, and harming or preventing stable relationships. The World Psychiatry Association explains that cognition is highly related to functional outcome.

Types of Antipsychotics 

Antipsychotic drugs tend to fall into one of two categories: 

• First Generation Antipsychotics 

• • Referred to as “Typical” antipsychotics 
  • Older 

• Second Generation Antipsychotics 
  • Referred to as “Atypical” antipsychotics. 
  • Newer 
  • In general, they cause less severe neuromuscular side effects than first generation antipsychotics. 
  • Second generation antipsychotics may be more likely to cause serious metabolic side effects such as rapid weight gain and changes to blood sugar levels. 

Both types can potentially work for different people. Remember, the different types of antipsychotics have different side effects. 

Indications for Antipsychotic Prescribing 

Schizophrenia is the primary indication for antipsychotic agents (2). However, the use of antipsychotics in the treatment of mood disorders such as type 1 bipolar disorder (BD-1), depression with psychosis, and treatment-resistant depression have become widely used in the last decade. The following are descriptions of the indications for antipsychotic use. 

Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective disorders  

Schizophrenia is a chronic disorder that affects less than one percent of the U.S. population (1). When schizophrenia is active, symptoms can include delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, difficulty thinking and lack of motivation. Antipsychotic drugs are the mainstay of treatment for this condition.  

Antipsychotic drugs are also indicated for schizoaffective disorders, which show characteristics of both schizophrenia and affective disorders. The psychotic aspects of the illness require treatment with antipsychotic drugs, along with other drugs such as antidepressants, lithium, or valproic acid (2). 

Acute Mania 

The manic phase in bipolar affective disorder often requires treatment with antipsychotic agents. First-generation antipsychotics are effective in the treatment of acute mania with psychotic symptoms and all second-generation antipsychotics (except clozapine) can also be used as a treatment of symptoms of acute mania.  

Major Depressive Disorder with Psychotic features 

First or second-generation antipsychotics, along with an antidepressant, is typically the treatment of choice for depression with psychotic features.  

Personality Disorders 

First-generation antipsychotics are indicated in the treatment of paranoia and delusions associated with personality disorders. Borderline personality disorder is a type of personality disorder that can have symptoms of psychosis and paranoia; both first and second-generation antipsychotics are used for the treatment of these symptoms. 

Dementia and Delirium 

A low dose of high potency first-generation antipsychotics like haloperidol is recommended for the treatment of agitation in delirium and dementia. It is essential to use caution in elderly patients as the antimuscarinic effects can cause significant adverse effects in this population. Second-generation antipsychotics can also be used for treating behavioral disturbances in dementia. Off-Label use of second-generation antipsychotics is acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related dementia. 

Substance-Induced Psychotic Disorder 

In cases of severe psychosis secondary to substance use, antipsychotics can be used to control agitation symptoms. Caution is necessary when using first-generation antipsychotics in alcohol withdrawal and phencyclidine intoxication. 

Non-Psychiatric Indications 

• Antiemetic effect: Older first-generation antipsychotic drugs (with the exception of thioridazine).  

• • This action is due to dopamine-receptor blockade 
  • Some drugs, such as prochlorperazine and benzquinamide, are used solely as antiemetics.  

• H1-receptor-blocking  

• • Phenothiazines have been used for relief of pruritus or, in the case of promethazine, as preoperative sedatives.  

Figure 1. Indications for Antipsychotics (Designed by course author, 2024)

How Do Antipsychotics Work on the Brain? 

There are several researched reasons why antipsychotic drugs may help to reduce psychotic symptoms, these include: 

Blocking the Action of Dopamine 

It is a common perception that many psychotic experiences are caused by the brain producing too much dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, which means that it passes messages around in your brain. Most antipsychotic drugs are known to block some of the dopamine receptors in the brain. This reduces the flow of these messages and ultimately helps to reduce your psychotic symptoms. 

Dopamine is an important central nervous system neurotransmitter in the body. It belongs to the catecholamine family, which includes dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. Dopamine is the first catecholamine made in the biosynthetic pathway, produced by the decarboxylation of L-3, 4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (dopa) by aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (15). 

Dopamine is stored in vesicles that are released into the synaptic cleft; dopamine binds to dopamine receptors at the synapse (15). There are five different types of dopamine receptors (D1, D2, D3, D4, and D5), all receptors have different pharmacological, biochemical, and physiological functions. 

These receptors are divided into two receptor families (15):  

• D1-like receptor family: D1 and D5 receptors 
• D2-like receptor family: D2, D3, and D4 receptors  

Dopamine pathways are neuronal connections in which dopamine travels to areas of the brain and body to relay messages such as executive thinking, cognition, feelings of reward and pleasure, and voluntary motor movements. Dopamine is responsible for many functions in the brain, including actions and perceptions, voluntary movements, motivation, punishment and reward, sleep, mood, attention, memory, and learning (15).  

Affecting Other Brain Chemicals 

Most antipsychotics are known to affect other brain chemicals too. This may include the neurotransmitters serotonin, noradrenaline, and glutamate. These chemicals are thought to be involved in regulating your mood. 

Parkinsonism 

Some of the medical and research community believe that certain antipsychotics work by causing Parkinsonism, which is a movement disorder. This means they can induce the physical symptoms of Parkinsonism as side effects; they are also known to produce psychological symptoms of Parkinsonism, such as lacking appropriate emotions or losing interest in activities. These effects are more common with first-generation, or 'typical' antipsychotics.

Case Study (Continued) 

Following the treatment for Lilly’s oral laceration, she asks if this report will be sent to her primary care provider (PCP). She states she is not followed by a psychiatrist, but she gets her routine prescription for Chlorpromazine from her PCP.  

Previous medical history: 

1. Schizoaffective disorder, diagnosed 2013 
2. Hypothyroidism, diagnosed 2010 

Her medication list includes the following:  

1. Chlorpromazine 400mg, PO, Twice Daily 
2. Synthroid 75mcg, PO, Daily 

Lilly reports taking Benadryl every night to help her sleep (which is not on her medication list), as she struggles with ongoing insomnia. 

Pharmacokinetics of First-Generation Antipsychotics: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists (DRA) 

First-generation antipsychotics are dopamine receptor antagonists (DRA). They are known as typical antipsychotics. The first-generation antipsychotics work by inhibiting dopaminergic neurotransmission, with the peak effectiveness when 72% of the D2 dopamine receptors in the brain are blocked (4). They also have noradrenergic, cholinergic, and histaminergic blocking action. 

Figure 2. Blocking Action of First-Generation Antipsychotics (Designed by course author, 2024) 

First-generation antipsychotics have the following approved uses: 

• Psychotic disorders 
• Schizophrenia 
• Sedation for psychosis 
• Acute agitation 
• Behavioral disorders 
• Schizophrenia and bipolar I agitation 
• Non-psychotic anxiety 
• Tourette syndrome (a nervous system disorder involving repetitive movements or unwanted sounds) 
• Nausea and vomiting 

It is important to note that adverse reactions of first-generation antipsychotics are highly prevalent in a significant number of patients. This warrants prescribers to perform risk minimization strategies including staff training on identification, management, and prevention, revision of treatment guidelines and algorithms, and laboratory protocol set-up to enable therapeutic and adverse event monitoring (2). 

Examples of dopamine receptor antagonists (DRA) include (4):  

• Butyrophenones (haloperidol)  
• Phenothiazines (trifluoperazine, perphenazine, prochlorperazine, acetophenazine, triflupromazine, mesoridazine) 
• Thioxanthenes (thiothixene, chlorprothixene),  
• Dibenzoxazepines (loxapine) 
• Dihydroindoles (molindone)  
• Diphenylbutylpiperidines (pimozide) 

Mechanism of Action of Dopamine Receptor Antagonists (DRA) 

There are five dopaminergic pathways that are important for understanding schizophrenia and the mechanism of action of antipsychotic drugs.  

• Mesolimbic-mesocortical pathway 

• • Projects from cell bodies in the ventral tegmentum in separate bundles of axons to the limbic system and neocortex 

• • The most closely related to behavior and psychosis. 

• Nigrostriatal pathway 

• • Neurons that project from the substantia nigra to the dorsal striatum 
  • Involved in the coordination of voluntary movement 

• Tuberoinfundibular system 

• • Occurs in the arcuate nuclei and periventricular neurons and releases dopamine into the pituitary portal circulation.  
  • Dopamine released by these neurons inhibits prolactin secretion from the anterior pituitary.  

• Medullary-periventricular pathway 

• • Consists of neurons in the motor nucleus of the vagus 
  • This system is thought to be involved in eating patterns and behavior.  

• Incertohypothalamic pathway 

• • Connections from the medial zona incerta to the hypothalamus and the amygdala 

Figure 3. Dopamine Pathways. (This design is copyrighted by Abbie Schmitt, RN, MSN, 2024, and may not be reproduced without permission from Nursing CE Central) 

At present, five dopamine receptors have been described, consisting of two separate families, the D1-like (D1, D5) and D2-like (D2, D3, D4) receptor groups.  

The antipsychotic action is thought to be mostly produced by their ability to block the effect of dopamine; D2 receptors inhibit the activity of adenylyl cyclase in the mesolimbic system (4). 

The D1-like receptor is coded by a gene on chromosome 5, increases cAMP by Gs-coupled activation of adenylyl cyclase, and is located mainly in the putamen, nucleus accumbens, and olfactory tubercle and cortex (2). D5, is coded by a gene on chromosome 4, also increases cAMP, and is found in the hippocampus and hypothalamus.  

The D2 decreases cAMP (by Gi-coupled inhibition of adenylyl cyclase), and inhibits calcium channels, but opens potassium channels (2). It is found both pre- and postsynaptically on neurons in the caudate-putamen, nucleus accumbens, and olfactory tubercle. A second member of this family, the D3 receptor is thought to also decrease cAMP and is located in the frontal cortex, medulla, and midbrain. D4 receptors also decrease cAMP and are concentrated in the cortex (2). 

The first-generation antipsychotic agents block D2 receptors for the most part, and their binding affinity is correlated with clinical antipsychotic and extrapyramidal potency. The degree of this blockade in D2 receptors and relation to other actions varies considerably among drugs (2). 

The first-generation antipsychotics also depress the release of hormones by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. Loxapine, in addition to D2 receptors, blocks the activity of serotonin 5-HT2A receptors (4). 

Case Study (Continued) 

You ask Lilly to describe what happened when she bit her tongue. You note scars from deep lacerations in the mucosa of her tongue, gums, and lips at varying degrees of healing.  

Lilly states, “my face and mouth stiffen and jerk for several minutes at a time”. When you ask about the frequency, she reports “almost daily.” She explains that her family gets aggravated at her when she “smacks her lips” or “sticks out her tongue,” but she cannot control these movements. Her elderly mother tells her she is possessed by a demon, which Lilly says causes her significant emotional distress and embarrassment.  

• What other assessment data would you collect from Lilly? 
• How would you assess psychosocial factors, such as coping and support systems? 

Drug-Specific Pharmacokinetics of First-Generation Antipsychotics 

Butyrophenones (Haloperidol)

The following are pharmacokinetics of butyrophenones (10): 

Class: Antipsychotic, neuroleptic 

Black Box Warning: Risk for death in dementia-related psychosis  

Uses: Psychotic disorders, control of vocal utterances in Gilles de la Tourette’s syndrome, short-term treatment of hyperactive children showing excessive motor activity, prolonged parenteral therapy in chronic schizophrenia, organic mental syndrome with psychotic features, emergency sedation of severely agitated or delirious patients. 

• Metabolized by liver 
• Excreted in urine, bile  
• Crosses placenta; enters breast milk 
• Protein binding: 92% 
• Terminal half-life 12-36 hr. (metabolites)  
• PO: Onset erratic, peak 2-6 hr.; half-life 24 hr.  
• IM: Onset 15-30 min, peak 15-20 min; half-life: 21 hr.  
• IM (Decanoate): Peak 4-11 days; half-life: 3 weeks 

Contraindications: Hypersensitivity, coma, Parkinson’s disease  

Precautions: Pregnancy, breastfeeding, geriatric patients, seizure disorders, hypertension, pulmonary or cardiac conditions, hepatic disease, QT prolongation, torsades de pointes, prostatic hypertrophy, hyperthyroidism, thyrotoxicosis, pediatrics, blood dyscrasias, neurological injury, bone marrow depression, alcohol and barbiturate withdrawal states, angina, epilepsy, urinary retention, closed-angle glaucoma, and CNS depression. 

Phenothiazines  

The following are pharmacokinetics of phenothiazines (7):  

Group: Nitrogen and sulfur-containing heterocyclic compounds 

Uses: Treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, control nausea and vomiting, and other psychotic disorders with delusional manifestations.  

Examples of phenothiazines (10): 

• Chlorpromazine 
  • Black Box Warning: Beers Criteria: Avoid in older adults (except in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or short-term use as antiemetic in chemotherapy); increased risk for stroke and cognitive decline and mortality if used in dementia (10). 
  • Metabolized by liver, excreted in urine (metabolites) 
  • Crosses placenta; Enters breast milk 
  • 95% bound to plasma proteins 
  • Elimination half-life: 23-37 hr.  
  • PO: Absorption variable, widely distributed, onset erratic 30-60 min, duration 4-6 hr.  
  • PO/extended release (ER): Onset 30-60 min, peak unknown, duration 10-12 hr  
  • IM: Well absorbed, peak 15-20 min, duration 4-8 hr. IV: Onset 5 min 
• Fluphenazine 
  • Black Box Warning: Increased mortality reported with dementia-related psychosis. 
  • Metabolized by liver 
  • Excreted in urine (metabolites) 
  • Crosses placenta; Enters breast milk 
  • Protein binding >90%, not dialyzable  
  • PO/IM (HCl): Onset 1 hr, peak 90-120 min, duration 6-8 hr, half-life 15 hr 
  • IM/SUBCUT (decanoate): Onset 1-3 days; peak 1-2 days, duration over 4 wk, single-dose half-life 7-10 days, multiple dose 14.3 days 

Phenothiazines produce the most optimal results when combined with non-pharmacological psychotherapeutic therapy, such as narrative, meta-cognitive, and mindfulness therapy (7) 

Thioxanthenes (thiothixene, chlorprothixene) 

The following are pharmacokinetics of thioxanthenes:  

Thioxanthenes reduce antipsychotic activity by postsynaptic blocking of central nervous system (CNS) dopamine receptors, resulting in inhibition of dopamine-mediated effects; also has alpha-adrenergic blocking activity. 

Example of thioxanthenes: 

• Thiothixene 
  • Thiothixene is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis (13). 
  • Absorption: Erratic; high lipophilicity  
  • Protein binding: 90%  
  • Metabolism: Hepatic; substrate of CYP1A2  
  • Half-life elimination: 34 hours  

Dibenzoxazepines (Loxapine) 

The following are pharmacokinetics of dibenzoxazepines (10):  

Uses: Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, Unlabeled uses: Anxiety  

Black Box Warning: Acute bronchospasm, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema 

Loxapine inhalation must be administered only in a health care facility (14). 

• Loxapine 
  • Onset of action: Oral, IM: Within 30 minutes; Inhalation: 2 minutes 
  • Peak effect: Oral, IM: 1.5 to 3 hours 
  • Duration: Oral, IM: ~12 hours 
  • Absorption: Oral, inhalation, IM: Rapid and complete 
  • Protein binding: Inhalation: ~97% 
  • Metabolism: Hepatic to glucuronide conjugates 
  • Bioavailability: Inhalation: 91% (de Berardis 2017) 
  • Half-life elimination: Oral: Biphasic: Initial: 5 hours; Terminal: 19 hours; Inhalation: 6 to 8 hours 
  • Excretion: Urine (as metabolites); feces (as metabolites) 

Diphenylbutylpiperidines (Pimozide) 

• Pimozide 
  • Onset of action: Within 1 week; Maximum effect: 4 to 6 weeks 
  • Duration of action: Variable 
  • Absorption: ≥50% 
  • Protein binding: 99% 
  • Metabolism: Hepatic  
  • Half-life elimination: Children 6 to 13 years (n=4): Mean ± SD: 66 ± 49 hours; Adults 23 to 39 years (n=7): Mean ± SD: 111 ± 57 hours  
  • Time to peak, serum: 6 to 8 hours; Range: 4 to 12 hours 
  • Excretion: Urine 

Adverse Effects of First-Generation Antipsychotics 

Possible side effects and adverse effects of first-generation antipsychotics include (1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8): 

• Extrapyramidal symptoms, which are drug-induced movement disorders such as: 
  • Akathisia 
  • Dystonia 
  • Dyskinesia 
  • Akinesia 
  • Muscle stiffness 
  • Tardive dyskinesia 
• Anticholinergic effects such as: 
  • Constipation 
  • Urinary retention 
  • Blurred vision 
• Sedation 
• Confusion 
• Drowsiness 
• Dizziness 
• Headache 
• Agitation 
• Seizure 
• Cerebral edema 
• Peripheral edema 
• Impaired regulation of body temperature 
• Hypotension  
• Orthostatic hypotension  
• Abnormal ECG results or cardiac abnormalities 
• Retinal disorders such as: 
  • Pigmentary retinopathy 
  • Retinitis pigmentosa 
• Nausea 
• Diarrhea 
• Hypersensitivity reactions such as: 
  • Rash 
  • Pruritus (itching) 
  • Light sensitivity 
• Abnormal liver function test results 
• Sexual disfunction 

Neurological Effects 

First-generation antipsychotics are associated with significant extrapyramidal (EPS) side effects. The mild to severe EPS, including akathisia, sleepiness, restlessness, and autonomic effects, are unlike any associated sedatives or hypnotics. It is important that prescribers recognize this possibility and educate patients on these effects. 

Tardive dyskinesia, as the name implies, is a late-occurring syndrome of abnormal choreoathetoid movements and is the most important unwanted effect of antipsychotic drugs (2). It is suspected to be caused by cholinergic deficiency secondary to sensitivity of dopamine receptors in the caudate-putamen (2). Tardive dyskinesia is estimated to have occurred in 20–40% of chronically treated patients before the introduction of the newer atypical antipsychotics, which caused the prevalence to vary greatly (11).  

The majority of the medical community agree that the first step after tardive dyskinesia is noted should be to discontinue or slowly reduce the dose of the current antipsychotic agent or switch to one of the newer atypical agents, followed by elimination of all drugs with central anticholinergic action (2) 

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a life-threatening disorder that occurs in patients who are extremely sensitive to the extrapyramidal effects of antipsychotic agents. This syndrome is believed to result from an excessively rapid blockade of postsynaptic dopamine receptors. The initial symptom is marked muscle rigidity, then fever may ensue and often reaches dangerous levels (2). The leukocytosis and high fever that is present with this syndrome may erroneously be considered as infectious process.  

Altered blood pressure and pulse rate are also common (2). Muscle-type creatine kinase levels are usually elevated, which reflects the muscle damage.  

Switching to an atypical antipsychotic drug following recovery is indicated. 

Anticholinergic Effects 

Anticholinergic adverse effects like dry mouth, constipation, and urinary retention are common with dopamine receptor antagonists like chlorpromazine and thioridazine (4). The action of H1 histamine blocking causes sedation; chlorpromazine is the most sedating, while fluphenazine, haloperidol, and pimozide are less sedating (4).  

Cardiac Effects 

Haloperidol can cause abnormal heart rhythm, ventricular arrhythmia, torsades de pointes, and even sudden death if injected intravenously (2). Other adverse effects include prolongation of QTc interval, prolonged atrial and ventricular contraction, and other cardiac conduction abnormalities (2).  

Thioridazine has an FDA-backed warning for sudden cardiac death. Low-potency first-generation antipsychotics, like chlorpromazine or thioridazine, commonly cause orthostatic hypotension (2).  

Additional Effects 

First-generation antipsychotics can also lower the seizure threshold, and chlorpromazine and thioridazine are more epileptogenic than others (2).  

Increased serum prolactin concentrations, with breast enlargement, amenorrhea, changes in sexual function are known adverse effects due to the action of the dopamine receptor block in the tuberoinfundibular tract (2).  

Use In Pregnancy 

Although antipsychotic drugs appear to be relatively safe in pregnancy, there is a small increase in teratogenic risk. If a pregnant woman could manage to be free of antipsychotic drugs during pregnancy, this would be desirable because of their effects on the neurotransmitters involved in neurodevelopment. 

Drug Interactions for Antipsychotic Drugs 

Antipsychotics are contraindicated in combination with other drugs that have sedative effects, including α-adrenoceptor-blocking action, anticholinergic effects, and—for thioridazine and ziprasidone—quinidine-like action (2). 

Parenteral Preparations 

There are parenteral forms of haloperidol and fluphenazine that are available for rapid initiation of treatment, as well as for maintenance treatment in noncompliant patients (2). It is important for prescribers to closely follow the manufacturer’s literature because the parenterally administered drugs may have much greater bioavailability (2). Fluphenazine decanoate and haloperidol decanoate are appropriate for long-term therapy in patients who cannot or will not take oral medication.  

Dosage Schedules 

Antipsychotic drugs are often given in divided daily doses, titrating to an effective dosage (2). The low end of the dosage range is recommended for at least several weeks. After an effective daily dosage has been defined for an individual patient, doses can be given less frequently. Once-daily doses (usually given at night) are feasible for many patients during chronic maintenance treatment. Research shows that simplification of dosage schedules often leads to better compliance.

Pharmacokinetics of Second-Generation Antipsychotics 

Second-generation antipsychotics are serotonin-dopamine antagonists and are also known as atypical antipsychotics.  

Typical antipsychotics act almost exclusively on the dopamine system; these atypical drugs, however, regulate serotonin (5-HT), norepinephrine, and/or histamine neurotransmission as well (5).  

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the following atypical antipsychotics: 

 (* indicates the pharmacokinetics will be discussed in the next section) 

• Aripiprazole (marketed as Abilify)* 
• Asenapine Maleate (marketed as Saphris) 
• Clozapine (marketed as Clozaril)* 
• Risperidone (marketed as Risperdal)* 
• Quetiapine (marketed as Seroquel)* 
• Olanzapine (marketed as Zyprexa) 
• Olanzapine/Fluoxetine (marketed as Symbyax) 
• Iloperidone (marketed as Fanapt) 
• Lurasidone (marketed as Latuda) 
• Paliperidone (marketed as Invega) 
• Ziprasidone (marketed as Geodon) 

Second-generation antipsychotics are approved for treatment of the following:  

Mechanism of Action of Second-Generation Antipsychotics: Serotonin-Dopamine Antagonists (SDA) 

Typical antipsychotics act almost exclusively as blockers of dopamine-2 (D2) receptors. In contrast, second-generation atypical antipsychotic drugs are characterized by serotonin-2A (5-HT2A) antagonistic property (5). Targeting these receptors can lead to altering the excitability of 5-HT neurons.  

Some atypical antipsychotics are also potent serotonin-1A (5-HT1A; aripiprazole), serotonin-1C (5-HT1C; clozapine, olanzapine, risperidone), histamine-1 (H1; olanzapine, quetiapine) and α1-(aripiprazole, clozapine, olanzapine, paliperidone, quetiapine) and α2-adrenergic (clozapine, olanzapine, paliperidone, quetiapine, risperidone) receptor blockers (5). 

Figure 4. Blocking Action of Second-Generation Antipsychotics (Designed by course author, 2024) 

Drug-Specific Pharmacokinetics of Second-Generation Antipsychotics 

These antipsychotics are identified in the Beers Criteria as potentially inappropriate medications to be avoided in patients 65 years and older due to an increased risk of cerebrovascular accidents (stroke) and a greater rate of cognitive decline and mortality in patients with dementia (12). 

Aripiprazole 

The following are pharmacokinetics of aripriprazole (12): 

• Onset of action: Initial: 1 to 3 weeks. 
• Absorption: 
  • IM: Extended-release: Slow, prolonged. 
  • Oral: Well absorbed. 
• Distribution: Vd: 4.9 L/kg. 
• Protein binding: ≥99%, primarily to albumin. 
• Metabolism: Hepatic dehydrogenation, hydroxylation and N-dealkylation via CYP2D6, CYP3A4  
• Bioavailability: Tablet: 87% 
• Half-life elimination:  
  • Aripiprazole: 75 hours; dehydro-aripiprazole: 94 hours 
  • IM, extended release (terminal): ~30 to 47 days (dose-dependent). 
• Time to peak, plasma: 
  • IM: Extended release (after multiple doses): 4 days (deltoid administration); 5 to 7 days (gluteal administration). 
  • Tablet: 3 to 5 hours; high-fat meals delay time to peak by 3 hours for aripiprazole and 12 hours for dehydro-aripiprazole. 
• Excretion: Feces (55%; 18% of the total dose as unchanged drug; 37% of the total dose as changed drug); urine (25%) 

Risperidone 

The following are pharmacokinetics of risperidone (10): 

• Black Box Warning: Increased mortality in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis (10). 
• PO: Extensively metabolized by liver  
• Plasma protein binding: 90% 
• Peak 1-2 hr. 
• Excreted 90% in urine 
• Terminal half-life 3-24 hr. 

Quetiapine 

The following are pharmacokinetics of quetiapine (10): 

• Black Box Warning: Increased risk for mortality in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis; Increased suicidal ideation in pediatric patients (10) 
• Extensively metabolized by liver 
• Half-life: ≥ 6 hr. 
• Peak: 1.5 hr.  
• Protein binding: 83%  
• Excretion: <1% unchanged urine 

Clozapine 

The following are pharmacokinetics of clozapine (10): 

• Black Box Warning: Bone marrow suppression, hypotension, myocarditis, orthostatic hypotension, geriatric patients with dementia-related psychosis, seizures, syncope (10). 
• Patient-specific registration required before administration 
  • If WBC <3500 cells/mm 3 or ANC <2000 cells/mm 3, therapy should not be initiated 
  • Prescribers can only dispense 7-, 14-, 28-day supply upon receipt of lab report that is within appropriate levels. 
• Completely metabolized by liver enzymes  
• Bioavailability 27%-47% 
• Protein binding: 97% 
• Excreted in urine (50%), feces (30%) (metabolites) 
• Half-life 8-12 hr. 
• Clozapine can cause the following adverse effects: 
  • Hypersalivation 
  • Tachycardia 
  • Hypotension 
  • Anticholinergic side effects 
  • Agranulocytosis and leukopenia; therefore, requires monitoring of white blood cells and absolute neutrophil count. The FDA guidelines indicate monitoring absolute neutrophil count weekly for the first six months and, if normal, can be monitored every two weeks after that (10). Clozapine should be discontinued if absolute neutrophil count is below 1000 cells per cubic millimeter or below 500 cells per cubic millimeter in those with benign ethnic neutropenia. 

Adverse Effects of Second-Generation Antipsychotics 

Second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) have a decreased risk of extrapyramidal side effects as compared to first-generation antipsychotics. However, SGAs are associated with significant weight gain and the development of metabolic syndrome (2).  

The FDA recommends that prescribers closely consider the following: 

• Diabetes mellitus (personal and family history) 
• Dyslipidemia 
• BMI 
• Blood pressure 
• Fasting plasma glucose 
• Fasting lipid profile  

Risperidone is associated with dizziness, anxiety, sedation, and extrapyramidal side effects.  

Paliperidone can cause temperature sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures and QTc prolongation (QTc = corrected QT interval).  

Olanzapine has been associated most frequently with weight gain, increased appetite, and somnolence.  

Quetiapine is the least likely to cause extrapyramidal side effects. The most common side effects of quetiapine are somnolence, orthostatic hypotension, and dizziness.  

Ziprasidone has almost no weight gain but can cause prolongation of QTc. Aripiprazole is the most common side effect of agitation, headache, and akathisia-like restlessness. 

Asenapine can cause an increase in serum prolactin concentrations, weight gain, and prolongation of QTc.

Drug Choice 

Choice among antipsychotic drugs is based mainly on differences in adverse effects and possible differences in efficacy. In addition, cost and the availability of a given agent on drug formularies also influence the choice of a specific antipsychotic.  

For approximately 70% of patients with psychotic features, first- and second-generation antipsychotic drugs have similar efficacy for treating positive symptoms; however, evidence shows that second-generation drugs may have fewer negative symptoms, poor cognition, risk of tardive dyskinesia, and lesser increases in prolactin levels (2). 

Some of the second-generation antipsychotic drugs cause increased weight gain and increased lipid levels compared to some first-generation drugs, and a small percentage of patients develop diabetes mellitus, most often seen with clozapine and olanzapine (2). Thus, these drugs should be considered as second-line drugs unless there is a specific indication.  

Uncontrollable behavior may respond equally well to all potent antipsychotics but is still frequently treated with older drugs that offer intramuscular formulations for acute and chronic treatment. The low cost of the older first-generation antipsychotic drugs contributes to their widespread use despite their risk of adverse EPS effects (2).  

The best guide for selecting a drug for an individual patient is the patient history of past responses to drugs.  

At present, clozapine is limited to patients who have failed to respond to substantial doses of conventional antipsychotic drugs (2). Aripiprazole is one of the most commonly prescribed second-generation antipsychotics in the U.S. due to lower side effect profile and aggressive marketing (2).

Case Study (Continued) 

After providing education to Lilly on the side effects of the first-generation antipsychotic medications, you note that Lilly appears anxious. However, you quickly explain that research supports that changing to a second-generation antipsychotic agent can lead to less of these involuntary muscle movements. Lilly seems relieved and hopeful.  

She agrees to the mental health referral for psychiatry establishment, verbalizes understanding of the gradual taper instructions from the psychologist that consulted while at your facility, and is thankful for the counseling, outpatient therapy, and community resources. All lab work is normal at this time. The social worker at the hospital is also consulted and begins case management for Lilly, making sure she has support for areas such as housing, financial resources, and employment stability. 

Psychosocial Treatment & Cognitive Remediation 

Patients with schizophrenia need psychosocial support based around activities of daily living, including housing, social activities, returning to school, obtaining the optimal level of work they may be capable of, and restoring social interactions.  

Case management and therapy services are a vital part of the treatment program that should be provided to patients with schizophrenia. First-episode patients may be particularly needful of this support because they may be more likely to deny their illness and display noncompliance with medication. 

Research  

Considering that most second-generation and some first-generation antipsychotic agents are at least as potent in inhibiting 5-HT2 receptors as they are in inhibiting D2 receptors, current research is directed toward developing antipsychotic compounds that are more selective for the mesolimbic system (2). This increased selectivity would reduce their effects on the extrapyramidal system and hopefully decrease undesirable side effects. 

The differences in receptor effects of various antipsychotics can explain many of their toxicities and are shown to be consistently associated with high D2 potency (2). Essentially, a significant goal of research is to find more effective blockage of dopamine activity with less involuntary movement or toxic effects. 

There is also research on non-pharmacological therapies such as psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and physical activity in improving these conditions.

Conclusion 

As we have discussed, the use of antipsychotics has resulted in improved quality-of-life for many patients; however, prescribers must be aware of the adverse drug reactions from these drugs. Treating patients with psychotic disorders requires a holistic care plan for each patient. The pharmacokinetics of each drug, specifically the mechanism of action and side effects, can be used as an effective tool for designing a holistic care plan.

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