Psychopharmacology and Mental Health
The drug CPZs chemical makeup was used to make antipsychotic drugs and lead to the development of other ways to properly sedate people who suffered from psychosis (Linda, 2017). These original antipsychotics, such as CPZ, caused the occurrence of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) or movement disorders (Linda, 2017). They worked by blocking DA receptors, therefore increasing DA release, and relieving psychotic symptoms (Linda, 2017). Approaching this problem of EPS from excessive DA blockade, atypical antipsychotics were created, combining both DA and 5-HT blockade to increase free DA in the synapse (Linda, 2017). One atypical antipsychotic drug created was Seroquel.
Seroquel, as well as many other commonly prescribed psychotropic drugs, is an atypical antipsychotic medication used to treat many serious cases of psychosis such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and dementia, and may be used off label for other neurological disorders that have an unstable mood component such as major depression and in some cases anxiety (Dine, 2015). Atypical is defined as a second-generation antipsychotic medication that is FDA approved to treat certain psychiatric conditions (Dine, 2015). While seroquel has less EPS occurrences than other atypical antipsychotics, it is considered a sedative and causes weight gain (Linda, 2017). Because of the drugs sedative effects, it is occasionally prescribed to patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and to help with sleep (Linda, 2017). Seroquel acts on D2 receptors and 5-HT2A receptors as an antagonist to get the desired effect.
This combination of medications decreases mesolimbic and dopaminergic pathway hyperactivity, therefore acting as a D1 receptor agonist in the PFC and improving NMDA synaptic transmission (Brisch, 2014, and Linda, 2017). Once a patient continuously takes Seroquel, it is not an easy process to stop because it can lead to withdrawal effects, and a possible return to the original problem (Hager, 2015). In fact, once the brain accommodates to the everyday dosage of the drug, if abruptly stopped, the new equilibrium that has developed will cease, causing a new imbalance and new series of problems (Hager, 2015). The common withdrawal symptoms include dizziness, insomnia, anxiety, nausea, tremors and muscle twitching (Hager, 2015). Sometimes these withdrawal effects from Seroquel can occur for months to years (Hager, 2015). In conclusion, Seroquel is an atypical antipsychotic that is effective in reducing the symptoms of psychosis, but there can be serious negative consequences.
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