Psychiatric medications

Psychiatric medications, also known as psychoactive drugs, exert an effect on the mental state and are used to treat mental illness. They are mostly synthetic compounds, although some are naturally occurring. They sometimes have adverse side effects that may reduce patients' drug compliance. Some of these side effects can be further treated by using other drugs such as anticholinergic (antimuscarinic) medications.

Types of medication
There are four main groups of psychotropic medication. These are the anxiolytic/hypnotics, the antipsychotics, the mood stabilisers and the antidepressants. Additionally, there are various other miscellaneous types of medications, such as those used in the treatment of substance misuse and dementia.