Conventional antipsychotic drugs, such as haloperidol, chlorpromazine, and fluphenazine have been available for schizophrenia treatment since the mid-1950s. These drugs primarily block dopamine receptors and are effective in treating the "positive" symptoms of schizophrenia.

The newer antipsychotics, serotonin-dopamine antagonists (SDAs) block both serotonin and dopamine receptors, thereby treating both the "positive" and "negative" symptoms of schizophrenia.

According to NIMH, “In the 1990s, new drugs, called atypical antipsychotics, were developed that rarely produced these side effects. The first of these new drugs was clozapine. Clozapine (Clozaril®) was introduced in 1990. Some of the drugs that were developed after clozapine was introduced — such as risperidone (Risperdal®), olanzapine (Zyprexa®), quietiapine (Seroquel®), sertindole (Serdolect®), ziprasidone (Geodon®), and aripiprazole (Abilify)® — may be effective.”

People respond differently to antipsychotic medications. Be sure to speak with a healthcare professional about which treatment may be best for you or a loved one. 

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