(b)
The patient should not consume any alcohol while taking the drug.
(c) Patients with cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease that could
be exacerbated by hypotension should use with caution.
(d) The potential for a fatal outcome is significantly increased by the
concurrent use of alprazolam and triazolam.
Section IV. ANTIPSYCHOTIC AGENTS
9-15. INTRODUCTION TO ANTIPSYCHOTIC AGENTS
The general term psychoses encompass a wide variety of conditions. Each
specific condition has particular signs and/or symptoms that assist the psychiatrist in
making a diagnosis. Some psychotic conditions require long-term hospitalization, while
others can be managed on an outpatient basis. Many psychotic patients show marked
disorganization of thought patterns and behavior with either increased or decreased
psychomotor activity. Antipsychotic agents help psychotic patients better organize their
thoughts and coordinate their motor activities. In some cases, the use of antipsychotic
agents can mean the difference between hospitalization and home-care.
9-16. INDICATIONS FOR USE OF ANTIPSYCHOTIC AGENTS
In order for an antipsychotic agent to be wisely used to treat a psychotic patient,
the attending psychiatrist must carefully examine the patient and diagnose the specific
condition. Proper diagnosis is the key word for beginning drug therapy for the psychotic
patient.
9-17. USES OF ANTIPSYCHOTIC AGENTS
a. The antipsychotic agents are used to treat various conditions of psychosis.
When used in this manner, they help reduce the patient's fear, panic, and hostility. With
this help, the patient is better able to organize life and more realistically respond to the
environment.
b. Some antipsychotic agents are used as adjuncts in anesthesia to control
nausea and vomiting.
c. The state of psychotic hyperarousal is the first group of symptoms to
respond to antipsychotic medication. Delusions and hallucinations resolve more
gradually over a period.
MD0804
9-14
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