Low-Potency Antipsychotics: Levomepromazine, Melperon, and Pipamperone

Antipsychotics were first developed in the 1950s. Early antipsychotics were often categorized by their potency. High-potency antipsychotics were more effective at lower doses than low-potency antipsychotics but had more side effects, including extrapyramidal symptoms. However, the low-potency group required higher doses to achieve the same effects as the high-potency group. Levomepromazine, melperone, and pipamperone are classified as low-potency antipsychotics. Levomepromazine belongs to the phenothiazine family, and melperone and pipamperone belong to the butyrophenone family. Levomepromazine and pipamperone are classified as first-generation antipsychotics, and melperone is classified as a second-generation antipsychotic because of its atypical properties. These medications bind to dopamine receptors and various other receptors and are mainly used to treat schizophrenia. Their use in the treatment of other psychiatric disorders, such as bipolar disorder and sleep disorders, has also been reported. This chapter examines the pharmacology, indications, adverse reactions, and clinical study results of levomepromazine, melperone, and pipamperone. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022.