Psychopharmacology: Antipsychotic Drugs

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to antipsychotic drugs as studied in psychopharmacology.

Typical antipsychotics

A class of antipsychotic drugs that include Phenothiazines, Butyrophenones, and Thioxanthines.

Atypical antipsychotics

Second-generation antipsychotics that have a lower risk of extrapyramidal side effects and prolactin elevation.

D2 receptor

A dopamine receptor that plays a critical role in the therapeutic and side effects of antipsychotic drugs.

Neuroleptics

Another term for conventional antipsychotics, which are known for blocking D2 receptors.

Extrapyramidal symptoms

Movement disorders that can occur as side effects of antipsychotic medications, including tardive dyskinesia.

Tardive dyskinesia

A severe and sometimes irreversible movement disorder caused by long-term use of antipsychotic medications.

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome

A life-threatening condition characterized by muscular rigidity, high fever, and altered mental status due to antipsychotic use.

Prolactin elevation

Increased levels of prolactin in the blood often resulting from the blockade of D2 receptors.

5HT2A receptors

Receptors targeted by atypical antipsychotics, involved in regulating dopamine release in the striatum.

Clozapine

An atypical antipsychotic known for its complex receptor binding profile and effectiveness in treatment-resistant schizophrenia.

Olanzapine

An atypical antipsychotic with sedative properties and a high risk for weight gain and metabolic issues.

Risperidone

An antipsychotic that can act as either an atypical or conventional agent depending on the dose.

Quetiapine

An atypical antipsychotic that acts as a D2 antagonist and has varying effects based on dose.

Serotonin-Dopamine Antagonists

Drugs that block both serotonin and dopamine receptors, characteristic of atypical antipsychotics.

D2 Partial Agonism

A unique property of some antipsychotics that allows them to stabilize dopamine levels without causing extrapyramidal symptoms.

Off-label use

The use of a drug for conditions other than those for which it was approved by regulatory agencies.

FDA

U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the agency that regulates medications and their approval.

Antidepressant properties

The effects of certain atypical antipsychotics that can assist in treating depressive symptoms.