Which of the following statements identifies an antipsychotic medication?

• A. Clozaril
• B. Risperidone
• C. Sertraline
• D. Fluoxetine

Answer: (A)

Antipsychotic medications are used to treat psychosis by dampening dopamine activity in brain pathways that drive symptoms like delusions and hallucinations, and many also affect serotonin pathways to improve a broader range of symptoms. Clozapine is an atypical antipsychotic, meaning it blocks dopamine D2 receptors while also strongly antagonizing serotonin 5-HT2A receptors. This combination helps reduce psychotic symptoms and often works when other antipsychotics haven’t, though it carries a significant risk of agranulocytosis and requires regular blood monitoring. The other options here are antidepressants (sertraline and fluoxetine are SSRIs), which are not antipsychotics. Risperidone is also an antipsychotic, but Clozapine is the example highlighted for identifying an antipsychotic in this set.