While trying to investigate the various types of mental health medications on the market today, you may quickly become confused or overwhelmed by the many options available. The internet is flooded with medical terminology, biased opinions, and paid marketing ads, which can make it difficult to sift through it all and find real answers to your questions.

To make this short and sweet, while still providing useful information, we’re going to take a quick dive into a class of mental health drugs called Second-Generation medications. You should leave here with a better understanding of what these medications are prescribed for and how they can be integrated into a designed program, coordinated with your mental health professional. With this in mind, living a fuller, happier life can be achievable. 

What Are Second-Generation Medications?

To understand what Second-Generation medications are, let’s talk about First-Generation medications. 

First-Generation medications, otherwise known as typical antipsychotics, were developed in the 1950s. These were the first line of defense against symptoms of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other forms of psychosis. 

However, second-generation medications or atypical antipsychotics joined the scene in the late 1980s. With less severe side effects and high rates of success, these new medications quickly became the preferred choice by the medical community and their patients. 

Second-Generation medications are also used to treat severe psychiatric conditions that produce psychotic symptoms (hallucinations, delusions, confusion, disorganized thinking, or mania).

How Do Second-Generation Medications Work?

Neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin are both present in the human brain. These chemical messengers influence our moods, emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. A host of mental problems are associated with neurotransmitters that are out of balance. 

Psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia disorder have been linked to dysfunctional neurotransmitter activity in the brain. Second-Generation medications work on challenging this in a few ways. Since some psychotic symptoms are thought to be caused by an overload of dopamine, atypical drugs work to block dopamine receptors. This blockage aids in preventing the flow of distorted messages. In addition, Second-Generation medications influence serotonin levels as well. This is a significant difference between typical and atypical treatments as First-Generation medications only target dopamine, rather than both. 

Types of Second-Generation Medications:

As with any mental disease, there are different types of medications available. While medication may work for one individual, the same medication may not achieve the results experienced by another individual. Thankfully, there are various forms of Second-Generation medications for the treatment of the various mental illnesses suffered by both males and females, young and old. With the assistance of family, friends, and mental health professionals, finding the right prescription to aid in these debilitating diseases is quite reachable by trial and error in the pursuit of obtaining the best medication appropriate for a desirable result. 

Abilify 

• Medical Name: Aripiprazole

• Used For: The treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder.

• Side Effects: Weight gain, headache, anxiety, agitation, constipation, insomnia, dizziness, light-headedness, and nausea. 

Clozaril 

• Medical Name: Clozapine

• Used For: Treating medication-resistant schizophrenia and decreasing suicidal behavior

• Side Effects: A drop in white blood cells, and heart inflammation

Geodon 

• Medical Name: Ziprasidone

• Used For: The treatment of schizophrenia, PTSD, and either manic or mixed      episode bipolar disorder 

• Side Effects: Dizziness, irregular heartbeat, drop in blood pressure

Invega

• Medical Name: Paliperidone

• Used For: The treatment of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder

• Side Effects: Restlessness, weight gain, or sleepiness

Risperdal

• Medical Name: Risperidone

• Used For: The treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, irritability due to autism

• Side Effects: Weight gain, restlessness, nausea, vomiting

Seroquel 

• Medical Name: Quetiapine

• Used For: The treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and various mood disorders. Used off-label to treat insomnia.

• Side Effects: Less motor side effects but may cause weight gain and hypertension

Zyprexa 

• Medical Name: Olanzapine

• Used For: The treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder

• Side Effects: Weight gain, high blood sugar, insulin resistance, nausea, and headaches

Key Takeaways

If you’re living with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, or any other form of psychological mental illness, Second-Generation medications may be useful for these diagnoses. 

Unlike First-Generation drugs that only target dopamine receptors, Second-Generation medications work to block both dopamine and serotonin. 

Side effects often include weight gain, nausea, headaches, and other various ailments, however, Second-Generation drugs have far fewer side effects than the latter while still being proven effective. 

Regarding Second-Generation antipsychotics, it’s encouraged to speak with your medical practitioner if you feel that your current medication is not helping your mental acuity.  Describing your thoughts and feelings in depth would be to your advantage. 

Resources:

https://www.verywellmind.com/atypical-antipsychotics-379663

https://study.com/academy/lesson/how-antipsychotic-drugs-work-in-the-brain.html

https://study.com/academy/lesson/how-antipsychotic-drugs-work-in-the-brain.html