Paper I — 2019 July (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) — Q7

Paper I

2019 July (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) · 40 marks · 120 min

Question

Atypical antipsychotic agents

Q73 marksShort Notes★✓

Answer

Atypical antipsychotics are second-generation antipsychotic drugs with a lower risk of extrapyramidal side effects than typical (first-generation) agents.

Examples

• Olanzapine, Risperidone, Clozapine, Quetiapine, Aripiprazole

Mechanism of action

• Block both D2 (dopamine) and 5-HT2A (serotonin) receptors — the serotonin antagonism is thought to reduce extrapyramidal side effects compared to pure D2 blockade
• Also effective against negative symptoms of schizophrenia (unlike typical antipsychotics)

Uses

• Schizophrenia (positive and negative symptoms)
• Bipolar disorder
• Treatment-resistant psychosis (clozapine)

Adverse effects

• Weight gain, metabolic syndrome (dyslipidaemia, diabetes) — especially olanzapine, clozapine
• Sedation
• Lower extrapyramidal symptom risk than typical antipsychotics
• Clozapine: agranulocytosis (requires regular blood monitoring)

Related Concepts

1. 1Antipsychotic and Antimanic Drugs

Other Years Asked

1. 1Compare and contrast: chlorpromazine and risperidone. (3+3)2024 December (Supplementary) (2019 Scheme)Short Essay · 6 marks
2. 2Name two Atypical antipsychotics. What are the advantages of Atypical antipsychotics over Typical antipsychotics2024 March (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Note · 3 marks
3. 3Haloperidol2019 February (2010 Scheme)Short Answer · 1 mark
4. 4Mention two uses and two adverse effects of chlorpromazine2013 September (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Answer · 1 mark
5. 5Risperidone2023 July (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Answer · 1 mark
6. 6Clozapine.2025 March (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Answer · 1 mark
7. 7Atypical anti psychotics2022 May (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Answer · 0.3 marks
8. 8Atypical antipsychotics.2025 August (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)Short Answer · 0.3 marks
9. 9Drugs used in bipolar disorder2024 March (Supplementary) (2019 Scheme)Short Answer · 0.2 marks
10. 10Drugs used to treat Acute Mania.2023 January (Supplementary) (2019 Scheme)Short Answer · 0.2 marks
11. 11Antipsychotics.2024 June (Supplementary) (2019 Scheme)Short Answer · 0.2 marks
12. 12Drugs used to treat Bipolar illness.2023 July (Supplementary) (2019 Scheme)Short Answer · 0.2 marks
13. 13Drugs used to treat Schizophrenia2022 February (2019 Scheme)Short Answer · 0.2 marks
14. 14Antipsychotic agents2022 July (Supplementary) (2019 Scheme)Short Answer · 0.2 marks