Second-Generation Antipsychotics: Differences Between Medicines
Medicines within the second generation differ in movement risks, prolactin effects, sedation, appetite, cardiovascular properties and metabolism. Risperidone can elevate prolactin and cause dose-related movement problems. Olanzapine has a broader profile associated with appetite and…Continue Reading
Second-Generation Antipsychotics: Metabolic Adverse Effects
Metabolic adverse effects include changes in weight, blood glucose and blood lipids. Risks vary substantially among second-generation antipsychotics. Olanzapine and clozapine are notable for substantial metabolic burdens, while other agents have different average profiles. Individual…Continue Reading
Second-Generation Antipsychotics: Therapeutic Effects
Second-generation antipsychotics can reduce psychotic symptoms, and some have additional evidence for particular mood-related conditions. Effects vary between medicines and individuals. Improvement may involve less distress or preoccupation even when an experience does not disappear…Continue Reading
Second-Generation Antipsychotics: Receptor Profiles
A receptor profile describes the targets a drug binds to and what it does after binding. Second-generation antipsychotics commonly affect D2 and 5-HT2A receptors, with varying actions at histamine, muscarinic and adrenergic receptors. Some also…Continue Reading
Second-Generation Antipsychotics: Drug Examples
Examples include risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, clozapine and lurasidone. Some classifications also include D2 partial agonists within the second generation, while others describe them separately. The grouping is therefore useful historically but less precise than naming…Continue Reading
First-Generation Antipsychotics: Characteristic Adverse Effects
Important adverse effects include drug-induced parkinsonism, acute dystonia, akathisia and the risk of tardive dyskinesia with ongoing exposure. Prolactin elevation can cause sexual or reproductive effects. Sedation, dry mouth, constipation and dizziness vary according to…Continue Reading
First-Generation Antipsychotics: Therapeutic Effects
First-generation antipsychotics can reduce hallucinations, delusions and disorganised thinking. Their effectiveness helped establish that psychosis could be treated pharmacologically. They remain useful options for some people, including those with a good previous response or a…Continue Reading
First-Generation Antipsychotics: High- and Low-Potency Drugs
Potency describes the amount of a drug needed to produce a particular effect. High-potency antipsychotics generally require fewer milligrams than low-potency agents for comparable antipsychotic effects. The terms do not mean that a high-potency medicine…Continue Reading
First-Generation Antipsychotics: D2 Blockade
D2 blockade means preventing dopamine from activating D2 receptors in the usual way. This is the main established antipsychotic mechanism of first-generation drugs. It can reduce psychotic symptoms but also affects dopamine functions outside the…Continue Reading
First-Generation Antipsychotics: Drug Examples
Examples of first-generation antipsychotics include haloperidol, chlorpromazine, fluphenazine and several related agents. They belong to different chemical families and are available in different oral or injectable forms depending on the medicine and country. Their shared…Continue Reading