Atypical antipsychotics

A number of new antipsychotic drugs (the so-called "atypical antipsychotics") have been established since 1990, the first of these, clozapine (Clozaril), has proven to be more effective than other antipsychotics, although the possibility of serious side effects - in particular a so-called agranulocytosis (loss of white blood cells that fight infection) - requires that patients with blood tests to determine every one to two weeks. After a year of white blood cells is stable, the control of blood reduced to once be a month. Studies have shown that clozapine may be more effective than other antipsychotics in some people. Newer antipsychotics such as risperidone (Risperdal), quetiapine (Seroquel), olanzapine (Zyprexa) and Abilify (aripiprazole) are safer (known as tardive dyskinesia) in relation to the movement of the related Common side effects, the first with antipsychotics generation, and are not the same risk of CBC as clozapine, but most atypical antipsychotics may carry metabolic side effects such as weight gain, elevated glucose and lipids.

Olanzapine (Zyprexa) has many similarities Clozaril: seems to be similar in efficacy and the reversal of negative symptoms, but without the risk of agranulocytosis.

Older antipsychotic drugs are often very effective in treating some symptoms of schizophrenia, particularly hallucinations and delusions. Unfortunately, these drugs may not be as useful for other symptoms, such as motivation and emotional expression. The older antipsychotic (also went by the name of "neuroleptics") - medications such as haloperidol (Haldol) and chlorpromazine (Thorazine) - perhaps even produce side effects that resemble the negative symptoms. Often, reducing the dose or switching to a different medicine may reduce these side effects; new drugs, including olanzapine (Zyprexa), quetiapine (Seroquel), aripiprazole (Abilify) and risperidone (Risperdal) seems less likely to have this problem. Sometimes when people with schizophrenia become depressed, other symptoms to worsen. The symptoms may improve with the addition of an antidepressant.

_{Source: Various sources, including schizophrenia National Institute of Mental Health, revised of 2006.}