It rebalances dopamine and serotonin to improve thinking, mood, and behavior.
Side-effects. Antipsychotic medication can cause unpleasant side-effects, especially when the symptoms are severe and a higher dose of medication is used. Side-effects should become mild or at least tolerable when the dose is reduced and as your body adjusts to the presence of the drug.  There are two types of antipsychotics – ‘first generation’ or ‘typical’ (older medications) and ‘second generation’ or ‘atypical’ (newer medications).  Antipsychotics affect people differently. If you take antipsychotics then you may get side effects.  It can take some time to find the right medication.  If you are taking an antipsychotic which you feel is not working, or if the side effects are difficult to live with, then you should discuss this with your GP or psychiatrist. Some people accept the side-effects as a trade-off for the relief these drugs can bring. Others find the side-effects distressing and may choose not to take the medication. Check the information given to you by your doctor or pharmacist to find out the specific side-effects of any drug you have been prescribed. Antipsychotics help to control the symptoms of psychosis as well as less serious mental health conditions such as bipolar and mood disorder that may develop into later psychosis. Antipsychotics reduce or increase the effect of neurotransmitters in the brain to regulate levels. People with anxiety and mood disorders may benefit from taking antipsychotics in addition to antidepressants or mood stabiliziers. When used in this way, antipsychotics may help to control symptoms such as irritable or depressed mood, disorganized thinking and trouble concentrating and remembering. Excessive neurotransmission of dopamine is associated with schizophrenia, a clinical condition marked by seriously disordered thought. Antipsychotics, also called neuroleptics, are a class of compounds with a high affinity for several subtypes of dopamine receptors. Antipsychotic drugs (which are also called 'neuroleptics') are prescribed to reduce the symptoms of psychosis, and to stop the symptoms re-occurring. Some antipsychotics also act as an antidepressant, a mood stabiliser or a sedative, and some can reduce the symptoms of mania. Olanzapine is a medication that works in the brain to treat schizophrenia. It is also known as a second generation antipsychotic (SGA) or atypical antipsychotic. Olanzapine rebalances dopamine and serotonin to improve thinking, mood, and behavior. Symptoms of schizophrenia include:
http://www.camh.ca/en/hospital/health_information/a_z_mental_health_and_addiction_information/antipsychotic_medication http://www.rethink.org/resources/a/antipsychotics-factsheet http://www.camh.ca/en/hospital/health_information/a_z_mental_health_and_addiction_information/antipsychotic_medication http://www.psychguides.com/guides/about-antipsychotic-drugs/ http://www.camh.ca/en/hospital/health_information/a_z_mental_health_and_addiction_information/antipsychotic_medication http://web.williams.edu/imput/synapse/pages/IIIB5.htm http://www.mentalhealthcare.org.uk/antipsychotic_medication https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Treatment/Mental-Health-Medications/Olanzapine-(Zyprexa)
what happens to dopamine when taking antipsychotics drugs