Disclaimer: I am not a licensed doctor or pharmacist and do not prescribe or provide medical advice. This guide is for informational purposes only.
As a former professional caregiver for people with disabilities, I’ve witnessed firsthand the significant impact these medications can have on individuals’ daily lives. I created this guide to provide a clear, accessible reference for anyone taking these medications—or supporting someone who is. For clarity, each entry includes both the brand name and the generic name.
These medications can affect mood, behavior, and overall well-being, so it’s important to stay informed. I strongly encourage anyone taking them, or caring for someone who does, to ask their doctor detailed questions about the purpose of the medication, how long it should be taken, proper administration, and potential side effects. This guide is intended as a starting point to help you engage in informed discussions with healthcare providers.
With this context in mind, the following section provides a concise overview of commonly prescribed antipsychotic medications. Each entry lists both the brand and generic names, along with key details such as their intended use, notable effects, and potential side effects. This guide is meant to be a quick reference, helping you better understand the medications and prepare informed questions for your healthcare provider.
Overview
First-generation antipsychotics are older medications primarily used to treat schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. They work by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain to reduce symptoms like hallucinations and delusions. While effective, they are more likely than newer medications to cause movement-related side effects, such as tremors or stiffness, which require careful monitoring.
Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)
Year Introduced: 1954 (U.S.)
Purpose Initially developed as an antihistamine; discovered to have calming effects, leading to its use in psychiatric settings.
Approval for Mental Illness: Approved for schizophrenia and severe behavioral disorders.
Initial Impact: The first antipsychotic medication; revolutionized psychiatric care by allowing many patients to be discharged from institutions.
Current Usage: Rarely used due to sedative effects and better alternatives, but still valuable for severe agitation and hiccups.
Haloperidol (Haldol)
Year Introduced: 1967
Original Purpose: Developed specifically as an antipsychotic with strong dopamine-blocking properties.
Approval for Mental Illness: Approved for schizophrenia, acute psychosis, and Tourette syndrome.
Initial Impact: Widely adopted due to its potency and availability in injectable forms, making it ideal for emergency use.
Current Usage: Still commonly used, particularly in acute settings and for agitation. Available in long-acting injectable forms.
Fluphenazine (Prolixin)
Year Introduced: 1959
Original Purpose: Developed as a potent antipsychotic for chronic schizophrenia.
Approval for Mental Illness: Approved for schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.
Initial Impact: Known for its effectiveness and availability as a long-acting injectable, useful for non-adherent patients.
Current Usage: Less commonly used, but still valuable in long-term care settings.
Thioridazine (Mellaril)
Year Introduced: 1962
Original Purpose: Marketed as a safer antipsychotic with fewer movement side effects.
Approval for Mental Illness: Approved for schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.
Initial Impact: Gained popularity for its sedative effects and reduced extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS).
Current Usage: Withdrawn from the market in the U.S. in 2005 due to severe cardiac risks (QT prolongation).
Perphenazine (Trilafon)
Year Introduced: 1957
Original Purpose: Developed to provide antipsychotic effects with a balance of potency and side effects.
Approval for Mental Illness: Approved for schizophrenia and severe nausea/vomiting.
Initial Impact: Considered effective with a moderate risk of movement-related side effects.
Current Usage: Still occasionally used, particularly in combination with other medications (e.g., in the CATIE trial for schizophrenia).
Trifluoperazine (Stelazine)
Year Introduced: 1959
Original Purpose: Developed to treat schizophrenia and severe anxiety.
Approval for Mental Illness: Approved for schizophrenia and non-psychotic anxiety (though anxiety use is now limited).
Initial Impact: Known for its strong antipsychotic effects but also its high risk of EPS.p
Current Usage: Rarely used today due to side effects and the availability of safer options.
Loxapine (Loxitane)
Year Introduced: 1975
Original Purpose: Intended as an antipsychotic with properties between first- and second-generation medications.
Approval for Mental Illness: Approved for schizophrenia. An inhaled form (Adasuve) was later approved for acute agitation.
Initial Impact: Moderately used; the inhaled form offered rapid relief for agitation.
Current Usage: Inhaled form is used in select emergency settings, while oral use has declined.
Thiothixene (Navane)
Year Introduced: 1967
Original Purpose: Marketed as an effective treatment for schizophrenia.
Approval for Mental Illness: Approved for schizophrenia.
Initial Impact: Provided a potent antipsychotic option but with a high risk of EPS.
Current Usage: Very rarely used today due to better-tolerated alternatives.
Pimozide (Orap)
Year Introduced: 1984 (U.S.)
Original Purpose: Initially developed for schizophrenia; found to be effective for Tourette syndrome.
Approval for Mental Illness: Approved for Tourette syndrome, especially for severe tics.
Initial Impact: Primarily used in specialized cases rather than general antipsychotic treatment.
Current Usage: Still used for Tourette syndrome but not commonly prescribed for psychosis.
Molindone (Moban)
Year Introduced: 1974
Original Purpose: Developed to treat schizophrenia with potentially fewer metabolic side effect
Approval for Mental Illness: Approved for schizophrenia.
Initial Impact: Offered an alternative with a potentially lower risk of weight gain.
Current Usage: Discontinued in 2010, but some interest remains in its unique profile.
General Trends in Current Usage:
First-generation antipsychotics (FGAs) are generally reserved for specific situations, such as acute psychosis, severe agitation, or when patients respond poorly to second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs).
FGAs are still used in long-acting injectable forms (e.g., haloperidol decanoate) for maintenance therapy in chronic conditions.
Their use has declined due to higher risks of extrapyramidal symptoms- Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS): Movement-related side effects like tremors, stiffness, restlessness, or muscle spasms that can occur soon after starting antipsychotics. Ask your prescribing physician about specific risk factors.
Tardive Dyskinesia (TD): Involuntary, repetitive movements (e.g., lip-smacking, grimacing) that can develop after long-term use of antipsychotics and may be permanent. Ask your prescribing physician about specific risk factors.
Sources / References
- American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing, 2013.
- Stahl, Stephen M. Stahl’s Essential Psychopharmacology: Neuroscientific Basis and Practical Applications, 5th Edition. Cambridge University Press, 2021.
- Muench, Julia & Hamer, Amanda. “Adverse effects of antipsychotic medications.” American Family Physician, 2006; 74(5): 869–876.
Patient and Caregiver Resources
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
- Website: https://www.nami.org
- Offers education, support groups, and resources for caregivers of people with mental illness.
- Medication Guides – U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
- Website: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/medication-guides
- Provides official patient-friendly medication guides for antipsychotics and other drugs.
- Mayo Clinic – Antipsychotic Medications
- Website: https://www.mayoclinic.org
- Offers easy-to-understand information about medication uses, side effects, and safety tips.
