Which drug is recognized as the first antipsychotic?

Which drug is recognized as the first antipsychotic?

• A. Haloperidol
• B. Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)
• C. Clozapine
• D. Risperidone

Answer: (B)

Chlorpromazine was the first drug shown to treat psychosis, launching the era of antipsychotic medications. It works by blocking dopamine D2 receptors in brain pathways involved in mood and thought, which helps reduce the positive symptoms of schizophrenia such as hallucinations and delusions. This historic breakthrough established a pharmacologic approach to schizophrenia that subsequent drugs built upon. Haloperidol is also a dopamine blocker and has been widely used, but it came after chlorpromazine in the development timeline. Clozapine and risperidone are later-generation antipsychotics with additional properties—clozapine is notable for efficacy in treatment-resistant cases and lower risk of some side effects, while risperidone represents newer atypical antipsychotics. However, neither was the first antipsychotic to be recognized in clinical practice.

Chlorpromazine was the first drug shown to treat psychosis, launching the era of antipsychotic medications. It works by blocking dopamine D2 receptors in brain pathways involved in mood and thought, which helps reduce the positive symptoms of schizophrenia such as hallucinations and delusions. This historic breakthrough established a pharmacologic approach to schizophrenia that subsequent drugs built upon.

Haloperidol is also a dopamine blocker and has been widely used, but it came after chlorpromazine in the development timeline. Clozapine and risperidone are later-generation antipsychotics with additional properties—clozapine is notable for efficacy in treatment-resistant cases and lower risk of some side effects, while risperidone represents newer atypical antipsychotics. However, neither was the first antipsychotic to be recognized in clinical practice.