Typical vs Atypical Antipsychotics
Typical antipsychotics and atypical antipsychotics drugs are used in the treatment of psychosis. Typical psychotic drugs belong to first generation antipsychotic whereas atypical psychotic drugs belong to second generation antipsychotic. Both of them are used in the treatment of psychiatric conditions. Both generations of the drug acts by blocking the receptors in the brain’s dopamine pathways.
Typical Antipsychotics
Typical antipsychotics, also called as first generation anti psychotic drugs and are mainly used in the treatment of agitation, acute mania and other such conditions. This drug is divided into 3 classes of low potency medium potency and high potency. These drugs can cause extra pyramidal motor control disabilities in patients which may be present even after the medication is discontinued. The symptoms of this include body tremors and rigidity. The drug can also result in weight gain, dry mouth, muscle cramping and stiffness. A fatal side effect of this drug is Neuroleptic malignant syndrome symptoms of which is high fever and altered mental status.
Atypical Antipsychotics
Atypical Antipsychotics, also called as second generation anti psychotic drug and approved by FDA for use in the treatment of depression, bipolar and acute mania. It is less likely to cause extra pyramidal motor control and ardive dyskinesia disabilities in the patient. However it may also result in weight gain, dry mouth, muscle cramping and stiffness. The use of this drug may result in extreme weakness and abnormal shifts in sleep patterns.
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Difference between Typical Antipsychotics and Atypical Antipsychotics 1. The side effects of atypical anti psychotics are much less than the typical anti psychotics. 2. The efficacy of atypical anti psychotics is much more than the typical anti psychotics in the treatment of psychosis. 3. Atypical anti psychotics are excreted faster than the typical anti psychotics and hence the chances of patients relapse into psychosis is greater with atypical anti psychotics as these are no longer working in the brain. 4. Atypical anti psychotics are less likely to cause extra pyramidal motor control and ardive dyskinesia disabilities when compared to typical anti psychotics. 5. Atypical anti psychotics are easier to discontinue and are less addictive than the typical anti psychotics. 6. Atypical anti psychotic drugs are recommended over typical psychotic drugs. 7. Atypical anti psychotics fail to produce prolactin in the serum. 8. Withdrawal symptoms are less likely with atypical anti psychotic drugs as the physical dependency of this drug is less when compared to typical anti psychotics. 9. Akathesia is more likely to be less intense with these drugs than the typical antipsychotic.
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Conclusion
Both the drugs are effectively used in the treatment of psychosis. Atypical anti psychotic drugs are preferred over typical anti psychotic drugs as the side effects with the previous is much less than the latter. It is also seen that the withdrawal symptoms are much less in case of atypical when compared to typical anti psychotic drugs. However the debate is still on as to which of these two drugs are more potent.