ANTI-

PSYCHOTIC
DRUGS
Antipsychotic medicines are primarily used to manage
psychosis. The word “psychosis” is used to describe
conditions that affect the mind, and in which there has
been some loss of contact with reality, often including
delusions (false, fixed beliefs) or hallucinations
(hearing or seeing things that are not really there). –
NIMH
 DIVISION OF ANTI-
PSYCHOTIC DRUGS
1.Conventional Antipsychotics
- are the neuroleptic medications which were initially used to
treat schizophrenia for many years, dating as far back as
1952 when Thorazine made its debut in the United States.
This group of medications is also often referred to as “first
generation antipsychotics”, “typical antipsychotics”, and
“major tranquilizers”.

2.Atypical Antipsychotics - Newer

or second generation medications
LISTS OF COMMON
CONVENTIONAL ANTI-
PSYCHOTICS DRUGS
Chlorpromazine
Haloperidol
Perphenazine
Fluphenazine
LIST OF COMMON ATYPICAL
ANTIPSYCHOTIC DRUGS
Risperidone
Olanzapine
Quetiapine
Ziprasidone
Aripiprazole
Paliperidone
Lurasidone
MECHANISM OF
ACTION

-Both First Generation Antipsychotics

(Conventional) and Second
Generation Antipsychotics (Atypical)
block the D2 receptor.
-Dopamine Antagonism is the
common mechanism of antipsychotic
drugs.
In this figure the mesolimbic pathway is shown in blue, the dopamine
theory postulates that positive symptoms such as delusions,
hallucinations and thought disorder might be caused by an over activity of
this pathway.
In the other figure, the mesocortical pathway is depicted in red. Recent
findings suggest that a dysfunction of the mesocortical pathway may be
part of the neurobiology of negative and cognitive symptoms.
ILLNESSES RELATED

• ADHD - a disorder that makes it difficult for a person to pay

attention and control impulsive behaviors. He or she may also
be restless and almost constantly active.
• Severe Depression - is characterized by a persistent feeling
of sadness or a lack of interest in outside stimuli.
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder - a disorder that develops in
some people who have experienced a shocking, scary, or
dangerous event.
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - is a common, chronic and
long-lasting disorder in which a person has uncontrollable,
reoccurring thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors
(compulsions) that he or she feels the urge to repeat over and
over.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
Contraindicated in clients with hypersensitivity; comatose;
severe depression; bone marrow depression; blood
dyscrasias; Parkinson’s disease; liver impairment; coronary
artery disease; severe hypotension or hypertension
ADVERSE REACTION
• Generalized system reactions – Sedation; headache;
hypotension; dry mouth; nasal congestion; urticaria;
photophobia; photosensitivity
• Behavioral changes – Intensity of the psychotic
symptoms; lethargy; hyperactivity; paranoid reactions;
agitation; confusion
RECEPTORS
CONCERNED

risperidone D2, 5-HT2A, 5-HT7, a1, a2

sertindole D2, 5-HT2A, 5-HT2C, 5-HT6, 5-HT7, D3, a1

ziprasidone D2, 5-HT2A, 5-HT1A, 5-HT1D, 5-HT2C, 5-HT7, D3, a1, NRI, SRI

loxapine D2, 5-HT2A, 5-HT6, 5-HT7, D1, D4, a1, M1, H1, NRI
REFERENCES:
https://psychopharmacologyinstitute.com/antipsychotics-
videos/mechanism-of-action-of-antipsychotic-agents/
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/attention-
deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd-the-basics/index.shtml