Dopamine Blockade: Why Antipsychotics Work and Why They Cause Side Effects

Antipsychotic medications frequently act on dopamine D2 receptors, but blocking these receptors produces different effects depending on where they are located in the brain. This episode examines how dopamine antagonism and partial agonism influence psychotic symptoms, movement disorders, and prolactin secretion. We compare first-generation and second-generation antipsychotics, including haloperidol, risperidone, aripiprazole, and clozapine. The discussion explains why understanding receptor pharmacology is essential for balancing therapeutic benefits against adverse effects.