Antipsychotic medications, sometimes referred to as neuroleptics or major tranquilizers, are prescribed to treat schizophrenia and to reduce the symptoms associated with psychotic conditions such as bipolar, psychotic depression, senile psychoses, various organic psychoses, and drug-induced psychoses. People experiencing psychosis are sometimes, but not always, a danger to themselves and others. Antipsychotic medications have both a short-term sedative effect and the long-term effect of reducing the chances of psychotic episodes. Most drugs are available in oral dosage forms (tablets, dry powder, and capsules), while some can be given in parenteral form (intramuscular and intravenous injections). Show
Commonly Prescribed Typical and Atypical Antipsychotic MedicationsCommonly prescribed typical antipsychotics include:
Commonly prescribed atypical antipsychotics include: Find a Therapist
Most psychotropic medications produce the best results when paired with some type of psychotherapy. Medication can be of great service in helping a person treat and overcome debilitating symptoms, but pills by themselves cannot address behaviors, emotions, and root causes of mental health issues. If you are prescribed an antipsychotic medication, please consider finding a therapist you trust to help you learn more about what you are experiencing and to help you develop coping strategies to improve the quality of your life. Types of AntipsychoticsThis category of medications fall into two categories:
Mechanism of ActionDopamine was discovered and categorized as a neurotransmitter in the late 1950s. There are five pathways, or systems, of dopaminergic receptors in the central nervous system. These systems or pathways include:
These pathways affect thinking, cognitive behavior, learning, sexual and pleasure feelings, and the coordination of voluntary movement. Extra firing (production of this neurotransmitter) of dopamine in these pathways produces many of the symptoms of schizophrenia. Many atypical or second generation antipsychotics block serotonin (5-HT) receptors in the brain, particularly 5-HT2A receptors—the vital players in schizophrenia. In addition, atypical antipsychotics also act on adrenergic, cholinergic (muscarinic), and histamine receptors. Side Effects and Adverse Drug ReactionsPeople who take antipsychotic medications may experience negative side effects, such as:
Drug InteractionsAntipsychotics cannot be used with the following substances:
Withdrawal SymptomsWithdrawal from antipsychotics should be slow and gradual. A period of at least 15–30 days should be considered for this purpose. Nausea, vomiting, psychotic symptoms, hypertension, and sleep disturbances might come back if sudden discontinuation of therapy occurs. References:
Psychotropic MedicationsWhat are the side effects of antipsychotic medications?Side-effects of typical antipsychotics vary depending on the drug and may include drowsiness, agitation, dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, emotional blunting, dizziness, stuffy nose, weight gain, breast tenderness, liquid discharge from breasts, missed periods, muscle stiffness or spasms.
What is a side effect of most antipsychotic drugs?All antipsychotic medications are associated with an increased likelihood of sedation, sexual dysfunction, postural hypotension, cardiac arrhythmia, and sudden cardiac death. Primary care physicians should understand the individual adverse effect profiles of these medications.
What are the most common side effects of atypical antipsychotics?Common side effects of atypical antipsychotics include:. Decreased sex drive.. Weight gain.. Diabetes.. High cholesterol.. Drowsiness.. Sun sensitivity.. Diabetes.. Seizures.. What are potentially serious side effects of antipsychotic medications?The adverse effects of antipsychotic medications range from relatively minor tolerability issues (e.g., mild sedation or dry mouth) to very unpleasant (e.g., constipation, akathisia, sexual dysfunction) to painful (e.g., acute dystonias) to disfiguring (e.g., weight gain, tardive dyskinesia) to life threatening (e.g., ...
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