List of antipsychotic drugs
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Comprehensive List of Antipsychotic Drugs
Antipsychotic drugs are essential in the treatment of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. They are broadly categorized into first-generation (typical) and second-generation (atypical) antipsychotics. This article provides a detailed list of these drugs, highlighting their efficacy, side effects, and clinical applications.
First-Generation Antipsychotics (Typical Antipsychotics)
First-generation antipsychotics are known for their dopamine D2 receptor antagonism, which helps alleviate positive symptoms of schizophrenia but often leads to extrapyramidal side effects.
Common First-Generation Antipsychotics
- Haloperidol: Effective for acute schizophrenia but associated with significant extrapyramidal side effects 24.
- Perphenazine: Comparable in efficacy to some second-generation antipsychotics but with a higher risk of extrapyramidal symptoms 1.
- Chlorpromazine: Effective but associated with sedation and weight gain 2.
Second-Generation Antipsychotics (Atypical Antipsychotics)
Second-generation antipsychotics are preferred due to their lower risk of extrapyramidal side effects and broader efficacy, including some impact on negative symptoms and cognitive deficits.
Common Second-Generation Antipsychotics
- Clozapine: The most effective for treatment-resistant schizophrenia but associated with agranulocytosis and metabolic side effects 245.
- Olanzapine: Effective but linked to significant weight gain and metabolic issues 124.
- Risperidone: Effective with a moderate side effect profile, including prolactin elevation 124.
- Quetiapine: Effective with a lower risk of extrapyramidal symptoms but associated with sedation and weight gain 124.
- Ziprasidone: Effective with a lower risk of weight gain but associated with QTc prolongation 124.
- Aripiprazole: Partial D2 agonist with a favorable side effect profile, including lower risks of weight gain and prolactin elevation 249.
- Amisulpride: Effective, particularly for positive symptoms, with a lower risk of weight gain but potential for prolactin elevation 234.
- Paliperidone: Similar to risperidone with a risk of prolactin elevation and weight gain 2.
- Lurasidone: Effective with a lower risk of metabolic side effects but potential for sedation 2.
- Asenapine: Effective with a moderate side effect profile, including sedation 2.
- Iloperidone: Effective with a lower risk of extrapyramidal symptoms but potential for QTc prolongation 2.
Efficacy and Side Effects
Efficacy
All antipsychotic drugs are more effective than placebo in treating schizophrenia. Clozapine, amisulpride, olanzapine, and risperidone show higher efficacy compared to other antipsychotics 24.
Side Effects
- Weight Gain and Metabolic Effects: Olanzapine and clozapine are associated with significant weight gain and metabolic disturbances 124.
- Extrapyramidal Symptoms: First-generation antipsychotics and risperidone have a higher risk of causing extrapyramidal symptoms 124.
- Prolactin Elevation: Risperidone and paliperidone are notable for causing prolactin elevation 24.
- QTc Prolongation: Ziprasidone and iloperidone are associated with QTc prolongation 24.
Conclusion
Antipsychotic drugs are diverse in their efficacy and side effect profiles. First-generation antipsychotics are effective but often cause extrapyramidal side effects. Second-generation antipsychotics are generally preferred due to their broader efficacy and lower risk of certain side effects, though they come with their own risks, such as metabolic disturbances. Clinicians must tailor antipsychotic treatment to individual patient needs, balancing efficacy and side effects to optimize outcomes.
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