Psychotherapeutic agents 

Psychotherapeutic agents are used to treat psychosis, which refers to a group of mental disorders for example depression, schizophrenia, manic-depressive disorders and so on. They affect mood and behavior. The different class of psychotherapeutic agents would work differently. They may produce their effects by receptor block, inhibition of transporters, and by other mechanisms. The clinical benefits of these drugs may take weeks to appear.

There are five main types of psychotropic medications: antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, stimulants, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers. Antidepressants are used to treat depression.

The four major classes of psychotherapeutic medications are anxiolytics, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and antipsychotics.

Therapeutic agents (“drugs”) are, in the widest sense, substances that are administered to influence the outcome of the disease, whether to cure it, to reduce, or to eliminate some of its symptoms, or simply to improve the quality of life for the patient in question.

Prescription psychotherapeutics include pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants, and sedatives; over-the-counter drugs are excluded. Misuse of prescription psychotherapeutics is defined as use in any way other than directed by a healthcare provider.