Pharmacodynamics: How do antipsychotic medications work?

In this lecture, Dr. Dugan reviews the mechanisms of action of the medications used to treat psychosis. By the end of this lecture, you will be able to: 1) identify common pharmacologic targets of first and second generation antipsychotic medications, 2) describe proposed therapeutic actions of first and second generation antipsychotic medications, and 3) compare adverse effect profiles of the first and second generation antipsychotic medications.