psychiatric disorders
Antipsychotic Drugs
Conventional antipsychotics
Conventional antipsychotics (see table ) act primarily by blocking the Conventional antipsychotics can be classified as high, intermediate, or low potency. High-potency antipsychotics have a higher affinity fordopaminereceptors and less for alpha-adrenergic and muscarinic receptors. Low-potency antipsychotics, which are rarely used, have less affinity fordopaminereceptors and relatively more affinity for alpha-adrenergic, muscarinic, and histaminic receptors. Different drugs are available in tablet, liquid, and short- and Long-acting antipsychotic drugs . A specific drug is selected primarily based on the following: Adverse effect profile Required route of administration The patient’s previous response to the drug Conventional antipsychotics may cause significant Adverse effects of antipsychotic drugs , particularly some related to cognition and extrapyramidal movement disorders (eg, dystonia, tremor, tardive dyskinesia). About 30% of patients with schizophrenia do not respond to conventional antipsychotics. They may respond toclozapine, an SGA. 