Which of the following is a first-generation antipsychotic?

Which of the following is a first-generation antipsychotic?

• A. Haloperidol
• B. Clozapine
• C. Lurasidone
• D. Aripiprazole

Answer: (A)

Haloperidol is a first-generation (typical) antipsychotic. These drugs mainly block dopamine D2 receptors in the brain, which helps relieve positive psychotic symptoms but often leads to extrapyramidal side effects such as tremors, rigidity, or restlessness with long-term use. The other options are second-generation (atypical) antipsychotics, which also target serotonin and other receptors and tend to have lower risk of EPS but more metabolic side effects; for example, Clozapine is reserved for treatment-resistant cases and has agranulocytosis risk, while Lurasidone and Aripiprazole have different receptor profiles and side-effect patterns.

Haloperidol is a first-generation (typical) antipsychotic. These drugs mainly block dopamine D2 receptors in the brain, which helps relieve positive psychotic symptoms but often leads to extrapyramidal side effects such as tremors, rigidity, or restlessness with long-term use. The other options are second-generation (atypical) antipsychotics, which also target serotonin and other receptors and tend to have lower risk of EPS but more metabolic side effects; for example, Clozapine is reserved for treatment-resistant cases and has agranulocytosis risk, while Lurasidone and Aripiprazole have different receptor profiles and side-effect patterns.