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  • Typical antipsychotics such as chlorpromazine are dopamine antagonists. This means they reduce the effect of neurotransmitters by blocking dopamine receptors in synapses. This reduces the action of dopamine which therefore reduces symptoms such as hallucinations. They are also affective sedatives due to their effectiveness on histamine receptors, thus meaning they can be used to calm individuals. However, they can result in severe side effects such as movement issues which resemble that of Parkinson’s.
  • Atypical antipsychotics were brought about to improve the effectiveness on negative symptoms such as cognitive impairment, and to also reduce side effects. The only temporarily block d2 receptors, and then rapidly disassociate to allow for dopamine transmission. It is the rapid disassociation that reduces the side effects.