Atypical Antipsychotics

Introduction

• Purpose: Treat psychosis (schizophrenia, other psychotic disorders) and mood stabilization (bipolar disorder).
• Mnemonic Theme: Birthday party with “The Scream” painting as a symbol for psychosis.

Mnemonic Breakdown

The Scream Painting

• Symbolism: Represents psychosis (distorted reality).

Closet with a Lance

• Clozapine: Closet for clozapine.
• Olanzapine: Lance for Olanzapine.

AirPods

• Aripiprazole: Airpods for Aripiprazole.

Whispering

• Risperidone: Whisperidone.

Quiet

• Quetiapine: Quiet for Quetiapine.

Zipper

• Ziprasidone: Zipper for Ziprasidone.

Clinical Uses

• Treatment for Psychosis: Effective for schizophrenia (both positive and negative symptoms).
• Other Applications: Postpartum psychosis, dementia-related psychosis.
• Bipolar Disorder: Mood stabilization using atypical antipsychotics like Risperidone.

Side Effects

Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS)

• Meaning: Drug-induced muscle disorders (tremors, muscle spasms, restlessness, involuntary actions).
• Examples: Tardive dyskinesia, dystonia, akathesia.

Weight Gain

• Symbol: Overweight EPS package.
• Associated Syndrome: Metabolic syndrome (include high blood sugar).

Sedation and Drowsiness

• Reminder: Pepsi bottles in the closet. Avoid other sedative substances like benzodiazepines and alcohol.

Anticholinergic Effects

• Symbol: Empty cola bottles (choline = cola).
• Symptoms: Dry mouth, blurry vision, tachycardia, urinary retention.

Agranulocytosis

• Symbol: Spilled granola box next to closet.
• Specific Drug: Clozapine (reduced white blood cells, monitor for infection).

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)

• Symbol: Lead pipes (muscle rigidity like lead pipe).
• Symptoms: Muscle rigidity, fever, altered mental status, unstable vitals.
• Action: Medical emergency. Do not give drug and call provider.

Torsades de Pointes

• Symbol: Twisted streamers from zipper.
• Specific Drug: Ziprasidone (prolongs QT interval, risk for life-threatening arrhythmia).

Summary

• Drugs: Clozapine, Olanzapine, Aripiprazole, Risperidone, Quetiapine, Ziprasidone.
• Main Side Effects: EPS, weight gain, sedation, anticholinergic effects, NMS, agranulocytosis, QT prolongation leading to Torsades de Pointes.

Conclusion

• Atypical antipsychotics are crucial for treating psychosis and mood swings in bipolar disorder.
• Mnemonics and symbols help remember specific drugs and their side effects.