About Atypical Antipsychotics, or Neuroleptics
Atypical antipsychotics, or neuroleptics (sometimes incorrectly called 'major tranquillisers'), are used primarily in the treatment of psychosis and schizophrenia.
Why Are Atypical Antipsychotics Used?
Antipsychotics are prescribed mainly in the treatment of psychosis and schizophrenia, although increasingly they are also being prescribed in the treatment of mania or hypomania.
How Do Atypical Antipsychotics Work?
These medications are thought to work primarily by reducing the effects of the neurotransmitter dopamine (by blocking some dopamine receptors), an excess of which is thought to produce some of the effects of the disorders they are used to treat -- or by reducing the effects of dopamine together with serotonin (5-HT). The medications also have some effects on other neurotransmitter systems, including histamine, and Olanzapine's (Zyprexa's) actions include antagonism of muscarinic receptors and adrenergic receptors. However, the full mechanisms of action for these drugs are not entirely understood.
Additional Information
For important additional information about risks posed by anti-psychotics or neuroleptics, please see the pages on:
This page was last reviewed by , Monday, 1 June 2009.
The URL of this page is:
http://counsellingresource.com/medications/medication-types/neuroleptic.html
