A dopamine antagonist (antidopaminergic) is a type of drug which blocks dopamine receptors by receptor antagonism. Most antipsychotics are dopamine antagonists, and as such they have found use in treating schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and stimulant psychosis. Several other dopamine antagonists are antiemetics used in the treatment of nausea and vomiting.
Uses and examples
Dopamine receptor antagonists are used for some diseases such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, nausea and vomiting. It can also control the symptoms of hypersexuality and increased orgasmic activity.
Antidopaminergics such as haloperidol can be an antidote for poisoning with cocaine, amphetamines and dopamine agonists such as bromocriptine and/or ropinirole.
Agents such as atypical antipsychotics (coupled with serotonin antagonist effects): paliperidone, clozapine, risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, and ziprasidone
Used as antiemetics: metoclopramide, droperidol, domperidone
Used as tricyclic antidepressants: amoxapine, clomipramine, trimipramine
Choline can antagonize dopamine directly or interfere with receptor function
Melatonin suppresses dopamine activity as part of normal circadian rhythm functions, although pathological imbalances have been implicated in Parkinson's disease
They may include one or more of the following and last indefinitely even after cessation of the dopamine antagonist, especially after long-term or high-dosage use:
Dysphoria and depression
Extrapyramidal symptoms, including:
Akathisia
Parkinsonism due to effects on the nigrostriatal pathway
Tardive dyskinesia (long-term use)
Galactorrhea due to removal of dopamine-mediated inhibition (D2 receptor antagonism) on the lactotrophic cells in the anterior pituitary preventing the release of prolactin.
Hyperprolactinaemia due to effects on the tuberoinfundibular pathway
Increased appetite
Irritability and aggression
Low libido, sexual dysfunction and impotence due to blockage of the pleasure center (dopaminergic pathways)
Menstrual disorder
Metabolic changes with increased risk of obesity and diabetes mellitus type 2
Neuroleptic Induced Deficit Syndrome (long-term use)
Paranoia (rare)
Sedation or psychomotor agitation
Symptoms similar to ADHD
Symptoms similar to narcolepsy
Examples of Dopamine antagonists include:
acepromazine
amisulpride
amoxapine
asenapine
azaperone
benperidol
bromopride
butaclamol
clomipramine (mild)
chlorpromazine
chlorprothixene
clopenthixol
domperidone
droperidol
eticlopride
flupenthixol
fluphenazine
fluspirilene
haloperidol
hydroxyzine
iodobenzamide
levomepromazine
loxapine
mesoridazine
metoclopramide
nafadotride
nemonapride
olanzapine
paliperidone
penfluridol
perazine
perphenazine
pimozide
prochlorperazine
promazine
quetiapine
raclopride
remoxipride
risperidone
spiperone
spiroxatrine
stepholidine
sulpiride
sultopride
tetrahydropalmatine
thiethylperazine
thioridazine
thiothixene
tiapride
trifluoperazine
trifluperidol
triflupromazine
ziprasidone
