Antipsychotic agent

In medicine, antipsychotic agents "control agitated psychotic behavior, alleviate acute psychotic states, reduce psychotic symptoms, and exert a quieting effect. They are used in schizophrenia, senile dementia, transient psychosis following surgery or myocardial infarction, etc. These drugs are often referred to as neuroleptics alluding to the tendency to produce neurological side effects, but not all antipsychotics are likely to produce such effects. Many of these drugs may also be effective against nausea, emesis, and pruritus."

Classification

The newer drugs are called either second generation or atypical antipsychotic agents. This groups includes olanzapine, quetiapine, and risperidone.

The older drugs are called either first generation or typical antipsychotic agents. This groups includes haloperidol.