Definition of Anticonvulsants Anticonvulsants (also called antiepileptic drugs or AEDs) are agents used to prevent or reduce the frequency and severity of seizures in epilepsy and other seizure disorders. They work by modulating the activity of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters or ion channels in the brain. Mechanism of Action of Anticonvulsants Anticonvulsants work mainly by: … Read more
Sulpiride is a selective dopamine D2 antagonist with antipsychotic and antidepressant effects. It treats schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety by balancing dopamine activity. Chemical Formula: C₁₅H₂₃N₃O₄S Mechanism of Sulpiride: Selective D2 and D3 antagonist Low affinity for D1, 5-HT, or muscarinic receptors Uses of Sulpiride: Schizophrenia (Europe, Asia) Dysthymia, depression (low doses) Side Effects: Hyperprolactinemia Mild … Read more
Molindone Hydrochloride treats schizophrenia by reducing hallucinations and delusions. It is a typical antipsychotic that blocks dopamine receptors in the brain. Chemical Formula: C₁₆H₂₄N₂O·HCl Mechanism of Molindone Hydrochloride: D2 receptor antagonist (typical antipsychotic) Minimal activity at muscarinic or histaminergic receptors Uses of Molindone Hydrochloride: Schizophrenia Less weight gain than other antipsychotics Side Effects: EPS (moderate … Read more
Risperidone blocks dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT2 receptors, stabilizing mood and behavior. It treats schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and irritability in autism spectrum disorder. Chemical Formula: C₂₃H₂₇FN₄O₂ Mechanism of Risperidone: Antagonist at D2 and 5-HT2A Also affects α1, H1 receptors Uses of Risperidone: Schizophrenia Bipolar disorder Irritability in autism Side Effects: Moderate EPS (esp. at high … Read more
Droperidol is a dopamine antagonist with sedative, antiemetic, and antipsychotic effects. It controls nausea, vomiting, and agitation in surgical and psychiatric settings. Chemical Formula: C₂₂H₂₂FN₃O₂ Mechanism of Droperidol: Potent D2 blocker Also blocks alpha-adrenergic and 5-HT3 receptors Uses of Droperidol: Nausea/vomiting (post-op) Sedation in ICU Agitation (adjunct) Side Effects: QT prolongation (boxed warning) EPS Sedation … Read more
Haloperidol is a typical antipsychotic that blocks dopamine D2 receptors to control symptoms. It treats schizophrenia, acute psychosis, and Tourette’s syndrome effectively. Chemical Formula: C₂₁H₂₃ClFNO₂ Mechanism of Haloperidol: Potent D2 receptor antagonist in mesolimbic system Minimal activity on other receptors (very “clean”) Uses of Haloperidol: Schizophrenia Acute psychosis Delirium Tourette syndrome Severe agitation Side Effects: … Read more
Clozapine treats resistant schizophrenia, reducing hallucinations, delusions, and suicidal risk. It treats resistant schizophrenia, reducing hallucinations, delusions, and suicidal risk. Chemical Formula: C₁₈H₁₉ClN₄ Mechanism of Clozapine: Weak D2 antagonist, strong 5-HT2A, D4 antagonist Also affects M1, H1, α1 receptors Uses of Clozapine: Treatment-resistant schizophrenia Reduction of suicide risk in schizophrenia Side Effects: Agranulocytosis (requires WBC … Read more
Loxapine Succinate is an antipsychotic blocking dopamine and serotonin receptors in the CNS. It treats schizophrenia by reducing hallucinations, delusions, and agitation. Chemical Formula: C₁₈H₁₈ClN₃O·C₄H₆O₄ Mechanism of Loxapine Succinate: Antagonist at D2 and 5-HT2A Intermediate between typical and atypical antipsychotics Uses of Loxapine Succinate: Schizophrenia Agitation in bipolar or psychosis (inhalation form) Side Effects: Sedation … Read more
Hallucinogens are psychoactive drugs that alter perception, mood, and thought, often causing hallucinations. Definition of Hallucinogens: Substances that cause altered perception, hallucinations, and mood changes. Classification of Hallucinogens: Classical (Psychedelics) Primarily serotonin 5-HT2A receptor agonists Examples: Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) Psilocybin (magic mushrooms) Mescaline (peyote cactus) DMT (dimethyltryptamine) Dissociative Antagonists of NMDA glutamate receptors Produce … Read more
Antimanic agents, or mood stabilizers, control manic episodes in bipolar disorder by stabilizing brain activity. Definition of Mood Stabilizers: Drugs that stabilize mood in bipolar disorder, preventing both manic and depressive episodes. Major Agents: Lithium Mechanism: Unclear; inhibits inositol monophosphatase, reduces second messenger activity Therapeutic index is narrow Anticonvulsants as Antimanic Agents: Valproic acid: increases … Read more
