This report is focusing on the effects of Zuclopenthixol Dihydrochloride on the brain, including the chemical reactions that occur, how the drug is made, the chemical structure, the neuron’s response to the chemical and the reaction of the receptors at the synapse. This report also relates to how this pharmaceutical drug has an effect on one’s social status and how they are perceived by members of the community. Social status is an important factor that contributes to an individual’s life. As this report is focusing on a pharmaceutical drug that reduces the effect of Schizophrenia, it will also be looking at the contributing side effects of a low social status and capability of an individual.

Background

Clopixol tablets contains the active ingredient ‘Zuclopenthixol dihydrochloride,’ which derives from Thioxanthene, a chemical compound. Zuclopenthixol is an Antipsychotic medication, most commonly used to treat Schizophrenics. Antipsychotic medications are primarily used to manage Psychosis, including: hallucinations, delusions and disordered thoughts.


The process to produce to Zuclopenthixol is a complex method. Firstly, two isomers (beta and alpha) of Zuclopenthixol are dissolved in organic solvent and reacted with Benzoic Acid, this is called the process of Esterification, and this produces an Ester. An Ester is an organic compound made by replacing the hydrogen atom of an acid to another organic compound. Then, a base is added to the previous Ester via Alkali Hydrolysis. This is adding water to the molecule to remove the Beta Isomer and break the Ester. Crystals undertake the process of recrystallization which involves dissolving the crystals under heat with a different solvent. From there the solvent is left to evaporate, causing crystals to reform. This process is used to remove any impurities in the crystals. The end product is an acid salt of Zuclopenthixol. The molecular formula of Zuclopenthixol is identified as; C22H25ClN2OS. The structure of Zuclopenthixol is shown below in figure 1. As represented by the structure outline, Zuclopenthixol is a four ringed atom. This is a four membered ring, with the functional groups; Chloro, Hydroxyl and Amine present.

Figure 1 - Structure of Zuclopenthixol

Zuclopenthixol Dihydrochloride comes in several forms. It can be taken orally, injected or there are depot injections, which lasts for 2-5 weeks, depending on the dosage. The most common form of administration of Zuclopenthixol, are depot injections. A depot injection is a specialised type of a medication. It is designed for the medication to release slowly into the body over a number of weeks. Medication in the form of a depot injection is exactly the same as the medication in tablet form, only modified, making the injection decompose slower once in the bloodstream. Depot injections are inserted into the Gluteus Maximus, or outer thigh, as the injection site is a thicker, bigger muscle. Injections into thicker muscles reduces pain and swelling for a patient. From there, the injection is absorbed into the muscle capillaries and enters the bloodstream. A blood cell circulates the body in around one minute, therefore, using the injection form of Zuclopenthixol on Psychotic and Schizophrenic patients is a lot more beneficial as the injection reaches the brain faster and reduces the psychotic episode. 

Side effects are common in many medications, especially Antipsychotic medications. A list of common side effects are listed below;
  • Drowsiness
  • Sedation
  • Dizziness
  • Fainting
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Blood disorders
  • Eye disorders
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Stuffy nose
  • Dry mouth
  • Stomach pains
  • Constipation
  • Rash
  • Over production of saliva
  • The need to pass urine more frequently
  • Incontinence 
  • Breast enlargement
  • Impaired erection/ejaculation in men
  • Irregular periods in women 
  • Increased libido in women
  • Weight gain or loss
  • Restlessness
  • Hand tremors
  • Rigid feeling in the arms or legs
  • Slowed movements
It is advised that if symptoms persist and are severe, visit your doctor.

Zuclopenthixol can be describe as a ‘major tranquiliser’, which works by blocking a variety of receptors in the brain, more particularly Dopamine receptors.  Dopamine is a neurotransmitter and is involved in regulating mood and behaviour amongst other things. Dopamine assists in memory and cognition. For example, when you ingest food, Dopamine is released from the brain to tell the body to remember to frequently consume nutrients because the body benefits from the outcome of nourishing itself. This particular antipsychotic drug (Zuclopenthixol) is an antagonist of D1 and D2 Dopamine receptors. This means that the neurotransmitters in the synapse are unable to activate at the receptors to cause reaction potential in the post synapse terminal. Overstimulation or high amounts of Dopamine can result in euphoria, aggression and intense sexual feelings. In Schizophrenics, high amounts of dopamine impairs cognition and reasoning, which can result in the inability to think logically and/or put sentences together. Blocked Dopamine D1, D2 and D3 receptors decreases physical activity and movement. The pharmaceuticals of Zuclopenthixol target the D1 and D2 receptors, to block the reuptake of Dopamine process in the post synapse terminal, causing a decrease in euphoria, which in turn, reduces the intensity of psychosis. 

Discussion

There are many underlying factors that influence one’s social status and capability. As this report has mentioned, Zuclopenthixol is an antipsychotic medication, generally used to treat Schizophrenics. Having a mental disorder can be debilitating and can impact greatly on one’s capability to function normally in society. Acceptance is what a person’s confidence thrives on and in many cases, individuals with a mental disorder struggle to be accepted into society as they are seen as abnormal and can act in a way that is considered outside the norms of society. Consequently, forcing suffers into a life of seclusion, a lack of confidence and a fear of being accepted.

With Schizophrenia suffers, their behaviour is dramatically impacted by their illness, therefore, they are greatly misunderstood and quite often ostracised. Zuclopenthixol does not impact an individual’s social status directly, it is rather that having the knowledge of an individual taking antipsychotic medication impacts on how they are perceived by the members of society. Perception comes from preconceived ideas and this is also related to stigmas associated to certain things. The common stigma that is related to mental disorders is that people who suffer from the said disorder, are unapproachable, aggressive and there are many feelings of apprehension felt by members of the community. When an individual is isolated from the public due to having a mental disorder, their life spirals down in a domino effect. Firstly, they are dejected by how they are characterised, alienated to the point of concealment. This then leads to difficulty communicating within the general public. With this difficulty, another problem then arises; employment. A person who suffers from a mental disorder will be faced with many difficulties finding employment, if their disorder is severe to the point of institutionalisation. When an individual’s social grade is low, this is also greatly impacted on the success of employment. 

Conclusion

To summarise, this report has discussed the effects of Zuclopenthixol Dihydrochloride on the brain and therefore and individual’s social capability and status. This report has covered the chemical structure and formula of Zuclopenthixol, the production process, including raw materials and reaction pathways, what happens in the synapse terminals when Zuclopenthixol blocks the Dopamine receptors, and the consequences of one’s social status being of a low grade. In conclusion, Zuclopenthixol Dihydrochloride effects the brain by blocking the D1, D2 and D3 Dopamine receptors to reduce movements and activity, thus, reducing the intensity of a psychotic episode. An individual with a mental disorder should not be characterised by their illness nor should they be expelled from society in spite of their behaviour, attitude and/or outburst in a psychotic episode.

Public education piece

My public education piece is a poster to advise the general public of the information learned during this research assignment.

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