This page contains a list of commonly prescribed antipsychotic (AP) drugs. Important information about AP drug use and side effects is available below the tables.

Note: AP drugs are associated with significant adverse outcomes in the elderly, including heart attacks, strokes, Parkinsonism, falls, and death. First-generation ‘typical’ antipsychotics are an older class of antipsychotic than second-generation ‘atypical’ antipsychotics.

Key: IM/IV: short-acting injection (intramuscular/intravenous). PO: oral solution. SL: sublingual. Suppository: inserted rectally. Transdermal: patch applied on skin.

First Generation/Typical APs

Generic Name Brand Name(s) Route of Admin.
Chlorpromazine Largactil, Thorazine IM/IV/PO
Droperidol
 Inapsine IM/IV
Fluphenazine Modecate, Prolixin IM/PO
Haloperidol Haldol IM/IV/PO
Loxapine
 Adasuve IM/PO
Perphenazine Trilafon PO
Pimozide Orap PO
Prochlorperazine Stemetil IM/IV/PO/Suppository
Thiothixene Navane PO
Thioridazine
 Mellaril PO
Trifluoperazine Stelazine PO

Second Generation/Atypical APs

Generic Name Brand Name(s) Route of Admin.
Aripiprazole Abilify PO
Asenapine Saphris SL/Transdermal
Brexpiprazole Rexulti PO
Cariprazine Vraylar PO
Clozapine
 Clorazil, FazaClo PO
Iloperidone Fanapt PO
Lumateperone Caplyta PO
Lurasidone Latuda PO
Olanzapine Zyprexa IM/PO
Paliperidone Invega IM/PO
Pimavanserin Nuplazid PO
Quetiapine Seroquel PO
Risperidone Risperdal PO
Ziprasidone Geodon IM

Commonly Prescribed First Generation/Typical Antipsychotics

Use: Medications used to treat severe aggression, psychosis, schizophrenia, mania, or tics.
Common Side Effects: Drowsiness, weight gain, dry mouth, stomach upset, QTc interval prolongation, restlessness, dystonia (uncontrollable muscle contractions), tardive dyskinesia (repetitive, involuntary movements), parkinsonism (slowness, stiffness, and tremor), neuroleptic malignant syndrome (rare, but fatal), and seizures.
Note: “No antipsychotics have been approved for treating psychosis or agitation in elderly patients with dementia. In fact, no drug has been approved for these symptoms…the black-box warning is not a contraindication, and clinicians still have the option of using these drugs for dementia patients at their discretion.” –American Psychiatric Association

Commonly Prescribed Second Generation/Atypical Antipsychotics

Use: Medications used to treat psychosis, mania, aggression, schizophrenia, agitation, depression, and tics.
Common Side Effects: Weight gain, diabetes, high cholesterol, drowsiness, sedation, QTc interval prolongation, stomach upset, dry mouth, sun sensitivity, and seizures.
Note: “The FDA boxed warning links atypical antipsychotic use in the elderly with dementia to an elevated risk of death due to pneumonia.” –The American Journal of Psychiatry.

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