How do antipsychotic medications work?
Antipsychotic medications work by blocking primarily dopamine receptors in the brain. Although they show some effect immediately, it may take between one and two weeks for them to show a significant antipsychotic response. All antipsychotic medications have some adverse effects including sedation, constipation, and extra pyramidal side effects.
Currently all effective antipsychotic medications block the D2 dopamine receptor, a specialized protein to which chemicals, such as dopamine, attach in the brain. Blockade of the D2 receptor appears to be a necessary and sufficient condition for antipsychotic response. Blockade of another brain receptor, the serotonin 2 receptor, may also explain some of the action of antipsychotic drugs, as do alterations of other brain chemicals and receptors such as GABA, glutamate and neurotensin.
People with schizophrenia and other psychotic illnesses often have an imbalance in certain natural chemicals in the brain, especially dopamine. Antipsychotic medications help the brain to restore its usual chemical balance and so reduce symptoms. How long do they take to work? People should begin to feel better within six weeks of starting to take antipsychotic medication. However, it can take several months before the the full benefits are felt. What else do we know about antipsychotics? They don’t change your personality. While you might notice changes in your mood and the way you cope with stress, antipsychotics will not change your personality. They don’t make you feel good all the time While antipsychotics can relieve the symptoms of psychosis-related disorders, they do not stop you from feeling the normal ups and downs of life. You may notice, though, that you {nd it easier to think more clearly. They are not the only treatment that helps you get better Taking antipsychotic medic
Antipsychotic medications are used because they change the chemistry of the brain. People with schizophrenia are known to have alteration in important chemicals in the brain and, with the aid of medication, these chemicals are put back into balance, which return it more towards normal. Why do antipsychotics cause side effects, such as weight gain, sedation and sexual dysfunction? Antipsychotics cause side effects such as weight gain, sedation, shakes and so on because they work on the chemicals in the brain and it can be difficult to get the right balance. These side effects can be excessive in certain areas, so the medications need to be monitored very carefully. People who are on these medications must see their doctor regularly. Why do antipsychotics have different side effects? People who are taking different types of antipsychotics get different side effects. Some drugs are known to cause weight gain quite significantly, while other drugs may not cause weight gain, or cause a mini
