Antipsychotics are medications that are used to treat symptoms of certain mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and severe depression. They work by altering the levels of certain chemicals in the brain that affect mood and emotions. There are different types of antipsychotics, including typical antipsychotics and atypical antipsychotics.

Indications for antipsychotics are primarily psychosis, which is a loss of contact with reality, such as hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking. They can also be used to treat other conditions such as severe depression, bipolar disorder, and Tourette’s syndrome.

Common side effects of antipsychotics can include drowsiness, restlessness, tremors, and stiffness. They can also lead to weight gain, increased risk of diabetes, and high blood pressure. Some antipsychotics can also cause a potentially fatal condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome(NMS)