ABSTRACT
Compared with the first-generation, or “typical” antipsychotic drugs, second-generation or atypical antipsychotics cause fewer extrapyramidal (motor) problems, but they pose new challenges, as they often contribute to metabolic disturbances such as weight gain, hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Patients taking atypical antipsychotics should be monitored for glycemic and cardiovascular risk factors and should receive treatment for such problems as they arise.
Footnotes
↵* Dr. Muzina has disclosed that he has received honoraria from AstraZeneca for consulting, and from AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Eli Lilly, GlaxoSmithKline, the France Foundation, CME Inc, and The Peer Group for teaching and speaking.
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