Second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) are the powerhouse medications of modern psychiatry—your brain’s elite performance squad. They target dopamine and serotonin pathways to stabilize thought processes, manage psychosis, and support mood regulation. SGAs like risperidone, olanzapine, aripiprazole, quetiapine, and lurasidone are widely used in conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and adjunctive treatment for depression.
This section equips psychiatric NPs with practical insight into choosing the right agent based on symptom profile, side effect tolerance, and comorbidities. From managing agitation and hallucinations to supporting mood and cognition, SGAs offer flexibility and potency—when used with proper monitoring and individualized care. Think of them as precision tools for complex psychiatric needs.