Comparing the side effect profile of the atypical antipsychotics.

Publication/Presentation Date

1-1-2002

Abstract

Typical antipsychotics exert their effect by blocking post-synaptic dopaminergic receptors; blockade of the mesolimbic and mesocortical pathways are therapeutic and help reduce positive psychotic symptoms but blockade of the nigro-striatal pathway produces extrapyramidal side effects (EPSE). Post clozapine, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of four newer atypical antipsychotics; risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine and ziprasidone for the treatment of schizophrenia. Because of their dual serotonin and dopamine receptor blocking abilities, atypical antipsychotics have greater efficacy (especially for negative symptoms) and fewer EPSE when compared to the typical antipsychotics. Given the lack of studies directly comparing these agents, we used the Physician Desk Reference (PDR) to calculate the treatment emergent placebo adjusted side effects for these atypical antipsychotics. The results are then presented in an easy to read table. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comparison study involving these four newer antipsychotic agents.

Volume

21

Issue

4

First Page

313

Last Page

315

ISSN

0189-160X

Disciplines

Psychiatry

PubMedID

12665274

Department(s)

Department of Psychiatry

Document Type

Article

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