Understanding the new and evolving profile of adverse drug effects in schizophrenia

• Published in: The Psychiatric clinics of North America Vol. 26; no. 1; p. 165
• Main Authors: Wirshing, Donna A, Pierre, Joseph M, Erhart, Stephen M, Boyd, Jennifer A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-03-2003
• Subjects: Antipsychotic Agents - adverse effects; Diabetes Mellitus - chemically induced; Female; Glucose - metabolism; Humans; Hyperlipidemias - chemically induced; Long QT Syndrome - chemically induced; Male; Prolactin - metabolism; Schizophrenia - classification; Schizophrenia - drug therapy; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological - chemically induced; Weight Gain - drug effects
• ISSN: 0193-953X
• DOI: 10.1016/S0193-953X(02)00035-7

This article has reviewed the emerging side-effect profiles of second-generation antipsychotic medications. Although these medications have favorable extrapyramidal side-effect profiles, clinicians must be aware of their propensity to cause weight gain, glucose and lipid abnormalities, and cardiac and sexual side effects. If clinicians are proactive about warning patients about these side effects and appropriately monitoring them, further morbidity and mortality may be prevented in this patient population. Initial choices of medication should be made based on the relative side-effect profiles in light of a particular patient's medical status. In the future, new treatments may be developed, with even fewer side effects.