Rexulti is categorized under which type of antipsychotic?

Rexulti, known generically as brexpiprazole, is classified as an atypical antipsychotic. Atypical antipsychotics are generally newer and are designed to produce fewer side effects compared to traditional typical antipsychotics. They work by influencing a variety of neurotransmitter receptors in the brain, particularly targeting serotonin and dopamine pathways. This mechanism helps manage symptoms of mental health disorders, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, by improving mood, reducing psychotic symptoms, and minimizing the risk of extrapyramidal side effects commonly associated with typical antipsychotics.

In contrast, typical antipsychotics primarily focus on dopamine receptor antagonism and are often linked with more significant motor side effects. The other categories listed—tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors—serve different therapeutic purposes and mechanisms of action primarily related to the treatment of depression and anxiety, rather than psychosis. This distinction reinforces the classification of Rexulti within the atypical antipsychotic category as it targets complex neurochemical interactions essential for managing psychotic disorders effectively.