Types of Medication for Psychosis

Psychosis refers to a condition in which a person loses contact with reality and fails to differentiate between reality and fantasy. It is characterized by considerable changes in their perception, thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors. Psychosis can cause a person to hallucinate or cause delusions.

Psychosis can affect any person, and the symptoms may vary from person to person. The good news is that psychosis doesn’t come unexpectedly and develops gradually over stages.

Antipsychotics are the drug of choice for managing various symptoms of psychosis.

1. Antipsychotics: They target the chemicals in the brain such as dopamine and serotonin to prevent symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations. There are two types of antipsychotics:
   • First-generation, typical or conventional antipsychotics: Some examples include
     • Chlorpromazine 
     • Fluphenazine
     • Perphenazine 
     • Thioridazine 
     • Haloperidol
     • Thiothixene
     • Trifluoperazine
   • Second-generation or atypical antipsychotics: Some examples include
     • Aripiprazole 
     • Aripiprazole lauroxil 
     • Lumateperonee 
     • Lurasidone 
     • Olanzapine
     • Olanzapine/Samidorphan 
     • Paliperidone
     • Paliperidone palmitate 
     • Quetiapine 
     • Risperidone 
     • Ziprasidone
     • Asenapine 
     • Brexpiprazole
     • Cariprazine 
     • Clozapine
     • Iloperidone

Antipsychotics are the only option for treating psychosis. Atypical antipsychotics are showing optimal outcomes when used for treating conditions such as schizophrenia.

Common side effects of antipsychotics include

• Weight gain
• Sexual problems
• Blurred vision
• Low blood pressure
• Seizures
• Low white blood cell count
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Restlessness
• Dry mouth
• Constipation
• Nausea

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

The safest antipsychotics during pregnancy are olanzapine, risperidone, and quetiapine as they do not cause any harm to the fetus.

Other drugs may be recommended only if the benefits outweigh the risks during pregnancy as there is a high risk of respiratory distress in the fetus.

Consult your physician before taking any medication during pregnancy.

Never consume alcohol while taking antipsychotics as it may increase the risk of:

• Drowsiness
• Sedation
• Slowed breathing
• Difficulty concentrating
• Impairment with thinking or judgment
• Fainting