Antipsychotics

Abstract

Antipsychotic medicines are the mainstay of treatment of patients with psychosis. They are also used in the acute and long-term treatment of patients with bipolar disorder, depression and some other conditions. Knowledge of their mechanism of action, adverse effects and dose–response relationships can help to optimize and tailor treatment for individual patients. Antipsychotics vary greatly in their adverse effect profiles, with small differences in their efficacy, except for clozapine, which is unique in its improved efficacy in treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Metabolic adverse effects, seen often with second-generation antipsychotics, should be monitored and promptly managed.