Psychopharmacology Glossary
100 terms total — 24 showing — Last updated 15 Sep 2026
loading dose
An initial higher dose given to rapidly achieve therapeutic drug levels.
cognitive side effect profile
The pattern of cognitive impairments or enhancements associated with a specific psychotropic medication or drug class.
cross-tolerance
The phenomenon where tolerance to one substance reduces sensitivity to pharmacologically similar substances.
CYP enzyme induction
Increased production of cytochrome P450 enzymes, leading to enhanced drug metabolism.
cytochrome P450
A family of liver enzymes responsible for metabolizing most psychiatric medications.
cytochrome P450 inhibition
The process by which certain drugs block the enzymatic activity of CYP450 enzymes, potentially altering the metabolism o...
depot injection
A long-acting formulation of medication given by injection that provides sustained drug release over weeks or months.
discontinuation syndrome
A cluster of symptoms that occur when psychiatric medications are stopped abruptly or reduced too quickly.
dopaminergic
Relating to or affecting dopamine neurotransmitter pathways in the brain.
dose-response relationship
The correlation between drug dose and the magnitude of therapeutic or adverse effects.
drug tolerance
Decreased responsiveness to a drug following repeated administration, requiring higher doses for the same effect.
drug-drug interaction
When one medication affects the activity of another when taken concurrently.
drug-induced mania
Manic episode triggered by medications, particularly antidepressants, stimulants, or corticosteroids, in susceptible ind...
DUP
Duration of Untreated Psychosis - the time period between onset of psychotic symptoms and initiation of adequate antipsy...
dystonia
Involuntary muscle contractions causing abnormal postures or repetitive movements, often occurring as an adverse effect...
extrapyramidal symptoms
Movement disorders caused by medications that affect dopamine pathways, including tremor, rigidity, and abnormal movemen...
first-generation antipsychotic
Older antipsychotic medications that primarily block dopamine receptors, also known as typical or conventional antipsych...
first-pass metabolism
Initial metabolism of an orally administered drug by the liver before reaching systemic circulation.
GABA-ergic
Relating to or affecting gamma-aminobutyric acid neurotransmitter systems.
half-life
The time required for the concentration of a drug in the body to reduce by half through metabolism and elimination.
hyperprolactinemia
Elevated serum prolactin levels, commonly caused by dopamine-blocking antipsychotic medications.
inverse agonist
A drug that binds to the same receptor as an agonist but induces a pharmacological response opposite to that of the agon...
kindling
Neurobiological phenomenon where repeated subthreshold stimuli eventually trigger full seizures or mood episodes.
lamotrigine rash
Potentially serious skin reaction associated with lamotrigine therapy that can progress to life-threatening conditions l...
lithium toxicity
Dangerous elevation of lithium blood levels causing neurological, gastrointestinal, and renal symptoms that can be life-...