Quetiapine, an atypical antipsychotic.
The discovery of antipsychotic agents in the 1950s revolutionized the treatment of schizophrenia. A large body of evidence supports the dopamine D2 receptor antagonist's efficacy in the treatment of psychotic symptoms. However, the advent of newer agents seems to point to a more complex interaction of neurotransmission in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. In fact, a defining characteristic of atypical agents is a higher ratio of serotonin (5HT2) receptor blockade to D2 receptor blockade. Clozapine was the first atypical agent to be introduced; it was followed by risperidone, olanzapine, and now quetiapine, which is a dibenzothiazepine derivative structurally related to clozapine and olanzapine.
Goren
J L
JL
Albany College of Pharmacy, New York 12208, USA.
Levin
G M
GM
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003987:Dibenzothiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D000069348:Quetiapine Fumarate; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003987:Dibenzothiazepines; D000069348:Quetiapine Fumarate