ATYPICAL ANTI-PSYCHOTICS

  • Learn the atypical anti-psychotics as a group (quetiapine, clozapine, risperidone and olanzapine)
  • Be able to compare the PD of the atypical agents with the typical agents

 

  1. When compared to the typical anti-psychotics, the atypical agents have mainly serotonergic (5HT-2A) receptor blockade and much weaker D2 receptor blockade.
  2. Their adverse effects are due to:
    • Alpha-receptor blockade (orthostatic hypotension)
    • Histaminergic blockade
    • Cholinergic blockade
    • Sedation and long QT.
  3. In essence, the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic profile of the atypical agents are similar to the typical agents, except that the atypical agents have more serotonergic blockade and less D2 receptor blockade, and therefore have less propensity to EPSEs.