Definition:
Typical antipsychotics (sometimes referred to as first generation antipsychotics) are the older medications used to treat psychotic symptoms. They were not called "typical" until the newer generation of these drugs, which were called atypical antipsychotics, came out. Some typical antipsychotics are rarely used to treat psychotic symptoms, including Compazine (prochlorperazine), which is almost exclusively used to treat nausea.
Typical antipsychotics (sometimes referred to as first generation antipsychotics) are the older medications used to treat psychotic symptoms. They were not called "typical" until the newer generation of these drugs, which were called atypical antipsychotics, came out. Some typical antipsychotics are rarely used to treat psychotic symptoms, including Compazine (prochlorperazine), which is almost exclusively used to treat nausea.
Typical antipsychotics approved for use in the United States include:
- Haldol (haloperidol)
- Loxitane (loxapine)
- Mellaril (thioridazine)
- Moban (molindone)
- Navane (thiothixene)
- Orap (pimozide)
- Prolixin (fluphenazine)
- Stelazine (trifluoperazine)
- Thorazine (chlorpromazine)
- Trilafon (perphenazine)
These medications can be very effective but are more likely -- in some cases highly likely -- than the atypical (second generation) antipsychotics to cause extrapyramidal side effects and tardive dyskinesia.
See also: Atypical Antipsychotics
