Mechanism of action of antipsychotics

At present, it is believed that almost all antipsychotics can block dopamine receptors (especially dopamine D2 receptors) in the brain and produce antipsychotic effects.

The blocking characteristics of several major receptors are described as follows:

(1) Dopamine receptor blockade: mainly blocking D2.

(2) Blocking effect of 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor: mainly blocking 5-HT2A.

(3) Blocking effect of adrenergic receptor: mainly a 1 receptor.

(4) Cholinergic receptor blockade: mainly blocking M 1 receptor.

(5) Blocking effect of histamine receptor: mainly blocking H 1 receptor.

Antipsychotic drugs have a wide range of pharmacological effects, in addition to the above-mentioned blocking effect, they also have the effects of strengthening other central inhibitors, stopping vomiting, lowering body temperature, inducing epilepsy, affecting the heart and blood system and so on.