Antipsychotics (also called neuroleptics) are a group of psychoactive drugs commonly but not exclusively used to treat psychosis, which is typified by schizophrenia, but can also be present in severe bipolar disorder, as well as many other conditions. Over time a wide range of antipsychotics have been developed. A first generation of antipsychotics, known as typical antipsychotics, was discovered in the 1950s. Most of the drugs in the second generation, known as atypical antipsychotics, have more recently been developed, although the first atypical anti-psychotic, clozapine, was discovered in the 1950s, and introduced clinically in the 1970s. Both classes of medication tend to block receptors in the brain's dopamine pathways, but antipsychotic drugs encompass a wide range of receptor targets. A number of side effects have been observed in relation to specific medications, including weight gain, agranulocytosis, tardive dyskinesia, tardive akathisia, sexual dysfunction, tardive psychoses, and tardive dysphrenia. The development of new antipsychotics, and the relative efficacy of different ones, is an important ongoing field of research. The most appropriate drug for an individual patient requires careful consideration.

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