Are atypical antipsychotics advantageous? - The case against

Abstract

Conventional antipsychotic drugs are just as effective as atypical antipsychotics. Some of the atypical drugs appear to have an efficacy advantage, but it is small and of marginal clinical significance. The apparent better tolerability of the atypical antipsychotics in terms of extrapyramidal symptoms is variable and dose-dependent. It needs to be balanced against the problems of weight gain and metabolic adverse effects that are likely to contribute to long-term morbidity and mortality. Atypical antipsychotics are far more expensive than conventional drugs. Whatever modest benefits some of them may appear to have are outweighed by their high costs.