ATI Pharmacology Exam Practice Related

Review ATI Pharmacology Exam Practice related questions and content

Which one of the following antipsychotics has been shown to be a partial agonist at the dopamine D2 receptor?

  • A. Aripiprazole
  • B. Clozapine
  • C. Haloperidol
  • D. Risperidone
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Aripiprazole, a third-generation antipsychotic, acts as a partial agonist at D2 receptors, stabilizing dopamine activity: it activates receptors in low-dopamine states (e.g., negative symptoms) and competes with excess dopamine (e.g., psychosis), reducing side effects like EPS. Clozapine, a second-generation drug, has weak D2 affinity, targeting 5HT2 and other receptors. Haloperidol, a first-generation antipsychotic, is a D2 antagonist. Risperidone and thioridazine block D2 fully, not partially. Aripiprazole's unique partial agonism, confirmed by pharmacological data, balances efficacy and tolerability, distinguishing it in schizophrenia treatment.