Typical antipsychotics

• Typical antipsychotics can be known as dopamine antagonists
• Typical antipsychotic drugs (e.g. clorpromazine) have been around since the 1950s
• What is an example of a typical antipsychotic?

  Clorpromazine
• Dopamine antagonists work by blocking dopamine receptors in the synapses in the brain, reducing the action of dopamine. Initially, after taking, clorpromazine, dopamine levels build up but then production is reduced. This normalises neurotransmittion in key areas of the brain, which in turn reduces symptoms like hallucinations
• Compromising also has an effect on histamine receptors which appears to lead to a sedation effect. Therefore it is also used to calm anxious patients when they are first admitted to hospital