Aripiprazole is which type of medication?

• A. Antidepressant
• B. Antipsychotic
• C. Antihistamine
• D. Anticonvulsant

Answer: (B)

Aripiprazole is an antipsychotic, specifically a second-generation (atypical) antipsychotic. It works by modulating dopamine in the brain—acting as a partial agonist at D2 receptors—which helps dampen the excessive dopaminergic activity that contributes to psychotic symptoms while preserving enough activity to minimize some movement-related side effects. It also interacts with serotonin receptors, which can support mood stabilization and reduce certain symptoms of mood disorders. This profile makes it useful for treating schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and it can be used as an adjunct in major depressive disorder. It isn’t an antidepressant, antihistamine, or anticonvulsant, since those drug classes target different systems and conditions.