Antipsychotic agents

Antipsychotic Agents

Antipsychotic agents (pronunciation: an-tee-sy-KOT-ik AY-jents), also known as neuroleptics or major tranquilizers, are a class of medication used primarily to manage psychosis (including delusions, hallucinations, paranoia or disordered thought), principally in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. They are increasingly being used in the management of non-psychotic disorders.

Etymology

The term "antipsychotic" is derived from the Greek words "anti-", meaning against, and "psychotic", meaning madness. The term "neuroleptic" is derived from the Greek words "neuron", meaning nerve, and "lepsis", meaning seizure.

Types of Antipsychotic Agents

Antipsychotic agents are broadly classified into two groups: the typical or first-generation antipsychotics, and the atypical or second-generation antipsychotics.

Typical antipsychotics are the older class of antipsychotic drugs, including drugs such as chlorpromazine and haloperidol. They primarily work by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain.

Atypical antipsychotics are a newer class of antipsychotic drugs, including drugs such as clozapine, risperidone, and olanzapine. They work by blocking dopamine and serotonin receptors in the brain.