Chlorpromazine is an antipsychotic that blocks which type of receptors?

Chlorpromazine is primarily classified as a typical antipsychotic, and its predominant mechanism of action involves the blockade of D2 dopamine receptors in the central nervous system. By inhibiting these receptors in the mesolimbic pathway, chlorpromazine helps alleviate positive symptoms of schizophrenia, such as hallucinations and delusions. This selective antagonism of D2 receptors is central to the therapeutic effects of chlorpromazine and is a hallmark of many first-generation antipsychotics.

While chlorpromazine does exhibit activity against other receptor types, such as serotonin, alpha-adrenergic, and histamine receptors, these interactions are secondary to its main action on the D2 receptors. The blockade of serotonin receptors and others can contribute to the overall side effect profile and therapeutic effects but does not define its primary mechanism of action as effectively as the blockade of dopamine receptors. This specificity for D2 receptors is what underscores the effectiveness of chlorpromazine in treating psychotic disorders.