Antipsychotic Medications

Mechanism of Action: 
  • An antipsychotic of the phenothiazine type and neuroleptic used in the management of severe psychotic episodes
  • Thought to block dopamine receptors in the brain that are associated with behavior and mood
Medications:
  • Chlorpromazine (Largactil; Thorazine)

Mechanism of Action: 
  • Alkaloid antipsychotic
  • Rarely used anymore
  • Irreversibly blocks the vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT)
  • Unprotected neurotransmitters (norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine) are metabolized by MAO (as well as by COMT) in the cytoplasm and therefore never reach the synapse
  • It could take days to weeks by the body to replenish the depleted VMAT and hence reserpine’s effects are long lasting
Medications:
  • Reserpine (Serpasil)

Mechanism of Action: 
  • Dopamine (D2) receptor antagonist
  • No longer being used in Canada as an antipsychotic but can be found being used as an antiemetic 
Medications:
  • Prochlorperazine (Stametil)

Last modified: Thursday, 13 March 2025, 5:22 PM