NURS 6630 Assignment Study Guide for Medication Treatment Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychosis Disorders

Mental illness is known to have various negative impacts on patients’ lives. Among them are schizophrenia spectrum and other psychosis disorders (Jester et al.,2023). These illnesses usually result in undesirable symptoms like delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking or speech, and disorganized or abnormal motor behaviors. As such, the PMHNPs should possess sufficient knowledge concerning these conditions and their symptoms for accurate diagnosis, treatment, and management. Study guides can play a critical role in enhancing a person’s ability to learn about these conditions and their management using antipsychotic agents. Therefore, the purpose of this assignment is to create a study guide that presents the medication treatment for schizophrenia spectrum and other psychosis disorders.

Drug Description

The chosen medication for this study guide is Quetiapine. This mediation has widely been used in treating schizophrenia (de Miranda et al.,2020). The brand name is Seroquel. The FDA approved this medication to be used in treating schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder.

 

Non-FDA uses

Apart from the FDA indications, Seroquel has also been used for non-FDA-approved functions. The non-FDA uses include the following.

  • Treatment of insomnia where low doses are usually given
  • Treatment of alcohol dependence as heavy drinkers has been observed to reduce their drinking tendencies when using the medication (de Miranda et al.,2020)
  • It is also used in the treatment of general anxiety disorder, where lower doses are used.

Drug classification

Seroquel is an antipsychotic under second-generation antipsychotics.

Mechanism of action Pharmacokinetics Pharmacodynamics
It is known to act on the dopaminergic D1 and D2 receptors. It is also an antagonist for serotonin receptors and D2 receptors. Absorption:

 

An immediate and extended release of 1.5 hours and 6 hours, respectively (Peak plasma time)

 

The medication blocks the dopamine receptors to help lower incidences of delusions and hallucinations caused by schizophrenia.

 

 

Acts on dopaminergic D1 and D2 receptors. Metabolism: The medication metabolism takes place in the liver by CYP3A4 (Badhan & Macfarlane, 2020)

 

Elimination:

20% of elimination is through feces, while 73% is through excretion.

 

 

 

Recommended dosing:

  • 150-750 mg/day (Immediate release); 400-800 mg/day (extended-release).
  • Children below twelve years: No safety has been established.
  • Children above twelve years: 400-800 mg/day
  • Not recommended for breastfeeding and pregnant women
  • Geriatrics: 50-200 mg/day (Immediate); 50 mg/day (Extended) (de Miranda et al.,2020)

Route of Administration:  The medication is taken through the mouth

Dosing alterations consideration: individuals susceptible to hypotensive reactions and the elderly.

Half-life:  This is the time which is taken by a medication’s concentration to reduced by half of the original concentration in the body. It is important to understand the half-life of medication since it dictates the steady-state concentration and excretion. The half-life for Seroquel is six hours for immediate release and seven hours for extended-release (de Miranda et al.,2020).

 

Side Effects and Possible Adverse Reactions

The medication is connected to various side effects and possible adverse reactions, which might be a concern to patients. It is important that a patient is educated regarding the same. They are illustrated below.

Contraindications For Use Including Significant Drug-To-Drug Interactions

            The medication is contraindicated for patients with hypersensitivity. The medication has been shown to pause and increase mortality risk in elderly individuals displaying dementia-connected psychosis. It may interact with medication that, leads to prolonged QT intervals. The medication specifically interacts with Leuprolide, Lefamulin, Goserelin, and Amisupride (Oruch et al.,2020).

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