Antipsychotic drugs are usually prescribed to control psychosis, a set of symptoms that distort a person’s sense of reality. The drugs are used to treat psychiatric illnesses with psychotic features. Without pharmacological support, many of these conditions can become overwhelming, so continuous psychiatric supervision is required.

A solid understanding of the various types, clinical applications, and potential side effects of antipsychotics is vital for aspiring medical students preparing for the NEET PG exam. 

Want to learn more? Keep reading for a detailed insight into antipsychotic drugs.

What are Antipsychotic Drugs?

Antipsychotic drugs are primarily used in the treatment of psychotic disorders. But they are not confined to psychotic disorders alone. In most instances, they can even treat other neurological and psychiatric disorders.

What are the Different Types of Antipsychotic Drugs?

Antipsychotic drugs classification involves 2 groups:

1. First-generation (typical or conventional) antipsychotics
2. Second-generation (atypical or newer) antipsychotics

Second-generation antipsychotics are now being prescribed much more often—almost 95% of prescriptions. Initially, they were thought to be more effective than the older antipsychotics; however, recent studies indicate that the benefit in terms of effectiveness might not be ideal. 

However, they tend to produce fewer of the severe side effects associated with first-generation drugs. These antipsychotics have been found to lower not just the positive symptoms (for example, hallucinations) but also the negative symptoms and cognitive impairment (for example, memory and attention). 

Yet, whether they outperform older medications remains debatable. Their broader acceptance may simply be due to better tolerance and reduced adverse effects. An example of a second-generation drug is Clozapine, which is effective in nearly half of the non-responsive patients. 

Although Clozapine is highly effective, it also has extreme side effects, such as seizures and a potentially lethal reduction in bone marrow function (specifically, the manufacturing of white blood cells). 

Due to these risks, it is reserved for treatment-resistant cases and requires regular blood monitoring—weekly tests for the first six months to detect any drop in white blood cell count. 

In addition, certain antipsychotics, both older and newer, come in long-acting injectable formulations, given monthly or bi-monthly. Such choices are helpful for those with difficulty maintaining daily oral medication compliance.

What are the Uses of Antipsychotics Drugs?

Antipsychotic drugs are usually prescribed to cure a range of mental illnesses, which come under the category of mood and perception disorders. Some of the most common diseases for which these drugs are administered are:

• Schizophrenia and associated illnesses (such as schizoaffective and schizophreniform disorders)
• Bipolar disorder
• Mania
• Major depressive disorder with psychotic symptoms
• Delusional disorders
• Severe agitation or aggression
• Borderline personality disorder (BPD)
• Dementia-associated behaviour disturbances
• Delirium
• Substance-induced psychosis

Apart from the above, typical antipsychotics may also be prescribed off-label to alleviate symptoms of other psychiatric or neurological conditions, although they do not form part of the first-line treatment of these conditions. These include:

• Tourette syndrome
• Huntington’s disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Lesch-Nyhan syndrome
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

What are the Side Effects of Antipsychotic Drugs?

Antipsychotic medications often come with information leaflets that list probable side effects, precautions, and what to do in case of any adverse effects.

Some of the most frequently reported side effects are:

• Dry mouth
• Dizziness or dizziness
• Weight gain is more likely to lead to type 2 diabetes
• Blurred vision
• Motor disorders, including tremors, stiffness, or restlessness
• Drowsiness
• Irregular menstruation in women
• Water retention
• Sexual dysfunction
• Headaches

It is essential to recognise that individuals may respond differently to the same medication. Side effects can vary significantly from person to person, and not everyone will experience them to the same degree.

What are the Advantages of Antipsychotic Drug Use?

Antipsychotic medications have a variety of outstanding advantages that make them an absolute necessity for mental illness therapy:

• Effective for Complex Psychiatric Conditions: Several mental health disorders treated with antipsychotics are otherwise difficult or impossible to manage with alternative medications. Without them, patients may require continuous, around-the-clock care.
• Well-researched Options: Both atypical and typical antipsychotics have been studied extensively over decades, providing a strong foundation of clinical evidence regarding their safety and effectiveness.
• Wide Range of Choices: With so many available drugs, doctors and patients can work together to find the most suitable option that keeps symptoms under control but reduces side effects.
• Makes Integrated Treatment Easier: These medications usually complement other forms of therapy, such as behaviour therapy or counselling, so overall, mental illness treatment works better.

FAQs About Antipsychotic Drugs

1. What is the main function of antipsychotic medications?

Antipsychotics drugs are utilised to treat symptoms of psychosis. Some of them are hallucinations (perceiving or hearing something that is not there) and delusions (a continual false belief). The primary goal of these medications is to limit the frequency and magnitude of the symptoms and aid in regaining the normality and stability of one’s thoughts and actions.

2. What are antipsychotics also known as?

Other names, such as neuroleptics or major tranquillisers, sometimes refer to antipsychotic medications. They fall under the category of psychotropic drugs and are commonly used to address psychotic episodes, especially in conditions like schizophrenia and related mental health disorders.

3. Which antipsychotic drug is considered the most potent?

Among available antipsychotic treatments, clozapine is often regarded as the most powerful, particularly for individuals who have not responded well to other medications. Based on survival analysis rankings, other high-performing antipsychotics include aripiprazole, paliperidone, olanzapine, amisulpride, risperidone, quetiapine, ziprasidone, and haloperidol, in the mentioned order.

4. Are antipsychotic medications safe to use?

Antipsychotics are prescription medications and must be used only under the care of trained healthcare providers. While generally safe when taken as prescribed, their effects can vary significantly between individuals.

5. Do antipsychotics cause addiction?

Unlike drugs that cause dependency through euphoria or pleasurable reactions, antipsychotic medications do not cause such a response. They are not addictive and cause no physical dependence.

Conclusion

Antipsychotic drugs are part of the treatment of a range of complex psychiatric and neurological disorders. Familiarity with their class, indications, advantages, and side effects not only facilitates safe treatment but also sound clinical practice development. As psychiatry advances, drug mechanisms become mandatory for practising psychiatrists.

A broad understanding of high-yield topics, such as antipsychotic drugs, is essential for NEET PG candidates’ preparation. Learn more about this topic with DocTutorials’ NEET PG study materials, top-grade video lectures, QRP (Quick Revision Programs), etc. 

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