BLOG #11

1. Name an example of each of the three phenothiazine sub-families and state how they differ from one another in terms of potency and side effects.

Aliphatic: least potent, produce more weight gain and sedation

Piperidine: least potent, produce more weight gain and sedation.

Piperazine: more potent, less sedation, exceptionally low hypotensive actions and high extrapyramidal effects

2. Which receptors are blocked by the typical antipsychotic drugs?

Dopamine 2 receptors

3. How does the mechanism of action of the atypical drugs differ from that of the typical drugs?

Atypical drugs block 5HT2A receptors more than they block D2 receptors. Whereas typical drugs block D2 receptors.

4. Which of the receptors blocked by the older drugs reduce the risk of extrapyramidal side effects?

By blocking Dopamine 2 receptors there is a reduction in the risk of extrapyramidal effects. 

5. Which of the older drugs have a high incidence of extrapyramidal side effects? What is the reason for this?

Piperazine has a high potency as well as Dopamine 2 receptor affinity.

6. Because of which receptor(s) blockade do the aliphatic group of drugs have a high incidence of autonomic side effects?

Muscarinic receptors blockade.