On this episode of real-life pharmacology, I'm going to cover the second-generation antipsychotics.

Second-generation antipsychotics are often referred to as atypical antipsychotics.

And this class designation differentiates it from the first generation antipsychotics,

which are less commonly used, and that's primarily due to the higher incidence of extra-paraminal and

movement disorder side effects. Some classic examples of second generation antipsychotics include

Arapyprysal, brand name Abilify, quatyapine, brand name Syracille,

Risperidone, brand name Risperidol,

Clausapine, brand name clausoryl, ziprazadoneone brand name geodon, and olanzapine brand name zyprexia.

The mechanism of action of antipsychotics in general is that they block dopamine receptors.

And there's one really important principle I think you want to remember with dopamine receptors. And there's one really important principle I think you want to remember with dopamine

as it pertains to medication management. When we block dopamine, that can potentially cause

movement disorders amongst other symptoms.

And in patients with disease states where we already have movement disorders,

like Parkinson's, in that disease state, we actually give more dopaminergic agents.

So low dopamine, that means potential for movement type disorders,

higher levels of dopamine in the brain, that potentially leads to psychotic disorders,

hallucinations, delusions, and things of that nature.

Understanding that mechanism of action, I think, will also help you understand what the medications,

the antipsychotics, are used for.

So most often antipsychotics are used for schizophrenia, bipolar.

You may see it used off-label in acute delirium,

potentially aggressive type behaviors as well. Rarely you will see these agents used for augmentation of depression and or anxiety disorders.

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