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Psychosis and Antipsychotic Drugs: Overview

Psychosis and Antipsychotic Drugs: Overview

The term "psychosis" refers to a spectrum of mental disorders characterized by abnormal thoughts, perceptions, and behaviors. It can manifest as mood disorders, dementia, delirium with psychotic features, substance-induced psychosis with psychotic features, brief psychotic disorder, delusional disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and schizophrenia. Among all these disorders, schizophrenia is the most common psychotic disorder, affecting 1% of the worldwide population. Psychotic symptoms in all...

Antipsychotic Drugs: Typical and Atypical Agents

Antipsychotic Drugs: Typical and Atypical Agents

Antipsychotic drugs are classified into first-generation (typical) drugs including phenothiazines; and second-generation (atypical) drugs. Chlorpromazine hydrochloride (Thorazine), a phenothiazine derivative, broadly impacts the central, autonomic, and endocrine systems. This drug, along with typical agents like haloperidol (Haldol), primarily works by antagonizing D2 receptors, thus reducing dopaminergic neurotransmission. However, typical antipsychotics can cause side effects such as sedation...

Antipsychotic Drugs: Therapeutic Uses and Side Effects

Antipsychotic Drugs: Therapeutic Uses and Side Effects

Antipsychotic drugs primarily block dopamine and serotonin receptors and cholinergic, adrenergic, and histaminergic receptors, thereby reducing hallucinations and delusions in conditions like schizophrenia. However, they can trigger unwanted extrapyramidal effects such as dystonias, Parkinson-like symptoms, and tardive dyskinesia.
Despite these side effects, antipsychotics are used therapeutically for various purposes, including managing schizophrenia, preventing nausea and vomiting, curbing...

Psychosis: Goals of Pharmacotherapy

Psychosis: Goals of Pharmacotherapy

Antipsychotic drugs are a crucial treatment method for acute and chronic psychoses, bipolar illness, and behavioral disorders. The selection of these drugs depends on several factors, including the state of the disease, clinical judgment, possible drug interactions, and the patient's sensitivity to adverse effects. In immediate scenarios, such as delirium and dementia, short-term treatment with low doses of high-potency typical or atypical agents can effectively manage symptom exacerbation. For...

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists

Dopamine receptor antagonists, also known as antipsychotic agents, are critical in managing chemotherapy-induced vomiting. These antiemetic agents block dopamine receptors in the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ), inhibiting signal transmission to the vomiting center. Antipsychotic agents encompass phenothiazines (PTZ), butyrophenones, benzamides, and thienobenzodiazepines (Zyprexa), which are utilized for their antiemetic and sedative properties.
Phenothiazines, such as prochlorperazine...

Drug Therapy

Drug Therapy

The advent of drug therapy has profoundly shaped modern mental health care, providing targeted treatments for a range of psychological disorders. Psychotherapeutic drugs, classified into antianxiety, antidepressant, and antipsychotic medications, address symptoms across anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and schizophrenia. While these medications have transformed patient outcomes, they require careful management due to their potential side effects and limitations.
Antianxiety Medications

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Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants

Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants

Published on: June 13, 2021

Antipsychotics in pregnancy.

K McCauley-Elsom¹, C Gurvich, S J Elsom

¹Senior Lecturer - Midwifery and Mental Health Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Monash University.

Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing

|May 15, 2010

Summary

Antipsychotic medication use in pregnancy for women with psychosis lacks sufficient evidence, posing risks for patients and clinicians. A new Australian registry aims to collect data on maternal and infant outcomes.

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Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

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Last Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants

Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants

Published on: June 13, 2021

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

Area of Science:

Psychiatry
Pharmacology
Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Background:

Antipsychotic medications are frequently prescribed for pregnant women with a history of psychosis.
Existing evidence on the safety and efficacy of antipsychotics during pregnancy is limited, causing concern among healthcare providers and patients.

Purpose of the Study:

To review existing literature on antipsychotic medication use in pregnancy.
To explore historical and current prescribing practices for antipsychotics in pregnant women with psychosis.

Main Methods:

A literature search was conducted using Medline, CINAHL, and PsycINFO.
Keywords included "antipsychotics," "pregnancy," "psychosis," and "schizophrenia," along with specific atypical antipsychotics (olanzapine, risperidone, clozapine, quetiapine, ziprasidone, aripiprazole).
Literature reviewed encompassed reviews, case studies, retrospective reports, drug registries, and a prospective comparative study.

Main Results:

The reviewed literature does not provide definitive answers regarding the risks of antipsychotic use during pregnancy.
Historical data includes anecdotal reports and drug company registries, with limited prospective studies.

Conclusions:

There is a significant lack of clear evidence to guide clinicians on the risks associated with antipsychotic use in pregnancy.
The establishment of the National Register of Antipsychotic Medications in Pregnancy in Australia is a crucial step towards collecting prospective data on maternal and infant outcomes.