14.5 : 抗精神病薬：治療用途と副作用

Antipsychotic drugs, or antipsychotics,  treat schizophrenia, autism symptoms, agitation, and even intractable hiccups and motor tics.

Their pharmacological action primarily blocks dopamine and serotonin receptors. Additionally, they exhibit activity at other receptors.

Dopamine receptor blockade by typical antipsychotics can cause unwanted extrapyramidal effects like dystonia, Parkinson-like symptoms, akathisia, and tardive dyskinesia.

Medullary D₂ receptor blockade by these drugs results in antiemetic effects.

Some patients may experience anticholinergic effects like blurred vision, dry mouth, confusion, and gastrointestinal and urinary tract smooth muscle inhibition.

Atypical antipsychotics are often preferred over typical antipsychotics due to their lower risk of extrapyramidal side effects. Clozapine, an atypical antipsychotic, helps remedy treatment-resistant schizophrenia.

Additionally, antipsychotics are used in bipolar disorder, psychomotor agitation, Parkinson's disease-associated psychosis, and nausea.