Atypical Antipsychotics
Start with the big picture
Most atypical antipsychotics combine D2 receptor blockade, which reduces positive psychotic symptoms, with 5-HT2A antagonism, associated with fewer extrapyramidal symptoms and improvement in negative symptoms. Aripiprazole, brexpiprazole, and cariprazine instead have D2 partial agonist activity. The class includes agents used for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, with selected uses in depression, agitation, autism-related irritability, and Tourette syndrome. Safety profiles differ: clozapine requires attention to serious blood and cardiac risks; some agents are more associated with metabolic effects, prolactin elevation, EPS, or QT prolongation. The deeper lesson organizes these distinctions by drug, clinical indication, adverse effect, and monitoring consideration.
What you'll learn
- Describe the D2 and 5-HT2A actions associated with atypical antipsychotics.
- Identify major clinical uses of the class and selected agents.
- Compare key safety considerations across commonly used atypical antipsychotics.
- Summarize clozapine’s role and its major monitoring concerns.
- Recognize drug groups associated with metabolic effects, EPS, hyperprolactinemia, and QT prolongation.
Continue your study
Work through the complete notes and reinforce the topic with the study tools available in the full lesson.
