ANTI-

PSYCHOTIC
DRUGS
SUBMITTED TO:
MA’M REKHA ANIL
KUMAR PRESENTED BY:
TUTOR, COLEGE OF NURSING GROUP C
DR RML HOSPITAL 3RD
YEAR B.SC(N)
DR RML COLLEGE OF
NURSING
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION PRESENTED BY:
DEFINITION 1. RUPAL SHARMA
CLASSIFICATION 2. GITIKA ARORA
MECHANISM OF ACTION 3. PREETI MAAN
INDICATIONS 4. AAYUSHI SAJWAN
5. ESHA
CONTRAINDICATIONS
6. KRITIKA
ADVERSE EFFECTS 7. RIYA SINGH
NURSING 8. KANIKA
RESPONSIBILITIES 9. ANJALI DALAL
EACH DRUG IN DETAIL 10. NANCY MEHTA
 INTRODUCTION OF TOPIC
Antipsychotics, also known as Neuroleptics, are a
class of psychotropic medication primarily used
to manage psychosis (including delusions, 
hallucinations, paranoia or disordered thought),
principally in schizophrenia but also in a range of
other psychotic disorders. 
They are also the mainstay together with 
mood stabilizers in the treatment of 
bipolar disorder.
 HISTORY
The first antipsychotic 
chlorpromazine was introduced in
1955 by French psychiatrists Pierre
Deniker and Jean Delay. Since then,
antipsychotics have been the
cornerstone treatment for psychotic
disorders, and considered the single
greatest advance in the treatment of
mental disorders.
Its role and scope has expanded in the
treatment of other medical and
psychiatric illnesses since then.
 DEFINITION
A medication (or another
measure) that is believed to be
effective in the treatment of 
psychosis. For example, 
aripiprazole (Abilify) is an 
antipsychotic medication used to
treat schizophrenia.
Psychosis is characterized by an
impaired relationship with reality.
It’s a symptom of serious 
mental disorders. People who are
experiencing psychosis may have
either hallucinations or delusions
PSYCHOSIS VS NEUROSIS
Neurosis is a light mental disorder. It does not
occur due to any organic diseases.
The main reasons for neurosis are depression,
stress, depression, or anxiety. 
Psychosis is a personality disorder that occurs
due to mental and emotional disturbance.
The cases of psychosis are more critical than
neurosis. 
Neurosis and Psychosis are different types of
mental disorders.
 CLASSIFICATION OF
ANTIPSYCHOTIC DRUGS
 Pharmacological classification
 First –generation antipsychotic (low potency)
 Chlorpromazine
 Prochlorperazine
 Thioridazine
 First- generation antipsychotic (high potency)
 Fluphenazine
 Haloperidol
 Pimozide
 Thiothixene
 Second generation antipsychotic
 Aripiprazole Resperidone
 Ziprasidone Quetiapine
 Asenapine
 Clozapine
 Olanzopine
CLASSIFICATION OF ANTIPSYCHOTIC
DRUGS
Chemical classification
Phenothiazines : chlorpromazine, trifluropromazine ,
thioridazine ,trifluoperazine,fluphenazine
Thioxanthenes : flupenthixol
Butyrophenones : haloperidol
Diphenyl butylpiperidines : pimozide
Piperdines : penfluriodol
Indolic derivatives : malinodone
Dibenzoxazepines :loxapine
Atypical antipsychotics : clozapine, resperidone ,
olanzapine ,quetiapine ,antipiprazole,ziprasidone
Others : reserpine
MECHANISM OF ACTION
Antipsychotic drugs have
dopamine receptor-
blocking activity in brain.
All of the first generation
and most of the second
generation antipsychotic
drugs block dopamine
receptors in the brain (in
mesolimbic and
mesofrontal systems)
and periphery.
Cont…
Anti–dopaminergic actions on basal ganlia are
responsible for causing EPS (extrapyamidal
symptoms).
Extrapyramidal effects : Dystonias (sustained
contraction of muscles leading to twisting,
distorted postures), Parkinson –like symptoms
(akathisia, dyskinesia).
The 2nd generation antipsychotics exhibit a lower
incidence of these symptoms.
These drugs also blocks cholinergic, adrenergic
and histamine receptors.
Cont…
These drugs reduces the hallucinations and delusions
associated with schizophrenia (positive symptoms) by
blocking dopamine receptors in the mesolimbic system
of brain.
Negative symptoms such as blunt effect, anhedonia,
apathy, impaired attention, and cognitive impairment
are combated with 2nd generation agents.
These drugs also have a calming effect and reduce
spontaneous physical movement without depressing
the intellectual functioning of the patient.
The antipsychotic effects take several days to weeks.
INDICATIONS 
Organic mental disorders

Functional disorders

Mood disorders

Childhood disorders

Neurotic disorders

Medical disorders
1. ORGANIC MENTAL DISORDERS

Delirium

Dementia with psychotic features or violent behaviours

Organic hallucinosis

Organic delusion disorder

Psychosis due to withdrawal of substance or drug

2. FUNCTIONAL DISORDERS

Acute psychosis

Schizophrenia

Schizoaffective disorder

Delusional disorder
3. MOOD DISORDERS

Mania
Depression with psychotic
symptoms
4. CHILDHOOD DISORDERS
Autism

Enuresis

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder 

Conduct disorder 
5. NEUROTIC DISORDERS 
Intractable obsessives compulsive disorder (Thioridazine
is drug of choice)

Intractable anxiety (Olanzepine is drug of choice)

6. MEDICAL DISORDERS
Tics/ Tourette syndrome

Tetanus

Nausea/ vomiting

Eclampsia

Heat stroke

Intractable hiccups

Intractable pruritis

Huntington's chorea

Severe pain during malignancies 

CONTRAINDICATIONS

CONTRAINDIATIONS 

ABSOLUTE RELATIVE DRUG USED WITH

CONTARAINDICATIONS CONTRAINCICATIONS CAUTION IN
ABSOLUTE CONTRAINDICATIONS

Central nervous system

depression

Severe brain damage

Hypersensitivity to the
drug
RELATIVE CONTRAINDICATIONS
Glaucoma

Intestinal obstruction

Severe hypertension or hypotension

Obesity

Diabetes mellitus

Seizres

Benign prostatic hypertrophy 

DRUGS USED WITH CAUTIONS IN
Blood dyscrasias

Pregnancy and lactation

Cirrhosis of liver

Heart disease

Coma

Pheochromocytoma

Parkinson's diasease
SIDE EFFECTS
Antihistaminic side effects
Sedation

Anti-alpha adrenergic side effects

Orthostatic hypotension
Sexual dysfunction
Cardiac arrhythmias
Antidopaminergic side effects
 Extrapyramidal side effects
Hyperprolactinemia
Antimuscarinic side effects
Blurred vision
Increased liver
Tachycardia
enzymes
Dry mouth
Eye problems
Urinary retention
Skin problems
Constipation
Seizure
Weight gain
Nursing Responsibility
Follow the rights of medications

Check vital signs before and after the medication .

Advice the client to take sips of water to prevent xerosis (

dryness of mouth)
Advice the client to take high fiber diet and more intake

of water to prevent constipation.

Advice the client to get up from bed to prevent

orthostatic hypotension.
Take seizure precautions.

Observe the client for extrapyramidal symptoms.

Advice client to take antipsychotic drugs at bed

time since the drugs might cause sedation .

Educate the client to wear full sleeves and eye gears

while going out in sun to avoid photosensitivity.

Educate the client not to drive after taking

medications.