Video - Typical antipsychotics

Typical antipsychotics, also known as first-generation antipsychotics, are a class of medications used to treat various psychiatric disorders, particularly schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. They work by blocking dopamine D2 receptors in the mesolimbic pathway in the brain, which helps to reduce the symptoms of psychosis.

Typical antipsychotics include medications such as chlorpromazine, haloperidol, and fluphenazine. These medications are generally effective at reducing positive symptoms of psychosis, such as hallucinations and delusions, but may have limited effectiveness for negative symptoms and may also cause significant side effects.

Common side effects of typical antipsychotics include extrapyramidal symptoms, such as tremors and muscle rigidity, as well as weight gain, sedation, and sexual dysfunction. Long-term use of these medications may also be associated with a higher risk of developing tardive dyskinesia, a movement disorder characterized by involuntary muscle movements.