Neuroleptic drugs names

The tricyclic antidepressants (Table 6—5) were so named because their organic chemical structure contains three rings (Fig. 6—25). The tricyclic antidepressants were synthesized about the same time as other three-ringed molecules that were shown to be effective tranquilizers for schizophrenia (i.e., the early antipsychotic neuroleptic drugs such as chlorpromazine) (Fig. 6—26). The tricyclic antidepressants were a disappointment when tested as antipsychotics. Even though they have a three-ringed structure, they were not effective in the treatment of schizophrenia and were almost... 

The neuroleptic drugs are psychiatry s most notorious drug treatment. They are the principle treatment for the most severe and symbolic of psychiatric conditions, such as schizophrenia or psychosis, but they are intensely disliked by many patients who therefore often have to be forced or pressurised to take them. They are also a focus of controversy due to claims about their brain damaging effects. They have been known under many names including major tranquillisers and phenoth-iazines, but are now mostly referred to as antipsychotics a term that originated in North America. However to avoid the implications of disease specificity that this name implies I will mainly refer to them here as neuroleptics, a term that, as I explain below, better describes their characteristic actions. 

More than a dozen drugs, almost all of them in use for many years, can be classified as neuroleptics. The phenothiazine derivatives were originally the most commonly used class of neuroleptic drugs. Chlorproma-zine is the prototype, developed in France and introduced into North America in 1953 by Heinz Lehmann. Its brand name in Canada and England is Largactil, and in the United tates, Thorazine. The antidepressant amoxapine (Asendin) is metabolized into a neuroleptic and has similar effects and, more important, adverse effects, such as tardive dyskinesia. All the classic neuroleptics block dopamine, but all of them also affect other neurotransmitter systems. 

SSRIs can cause most of the neurological disorders associated with the neuroleptic drugs, including a serotonergic syndrome that resembles neuroleptic malignant syndrome. The similar result is probably due to the capacity of SSRIs to impact the dopaminergic system. Recent studies (e.g., Miura et ah, 2007) continue to confirm the early clinical suspicion that SSRIs were not quite as selective as their name implies and in fact impinge on other neurotransmitter systems. 

Qll Name other neuroleptic drugs you know of and comment on the problems associated with neuroleptic therapy. 

Complete normalization often cannot be achieved. Even though a cure is unrealizable, these changes signify success because (a) the patient obtains relief from the torment of psychotic personality changes (b) care of the patient is facilitated and (c) return into a familiar community environment is accelerated. Neuroleptic therapy utilizes different drug classes, namely phenothiazines, butyro-phenones, and the atypical neuroleptics. 

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