New antipsychotic medications

The introduction of clozapine, risperidone and olanzapine has improved the outcomes for patients with psychoses. The reduced extrapyramidal adverse effects of the new antipsychotic medications, compared with standard antipsychotics, make them the drugs of choice for patients with a recent onset of psychosis. A trial of a new antipsychotic medication should also be considered in patients who have had a suboptimal response and/or disabling adverse events while taking older antipsychotic medication. Clozapine should be reserved for use in treatment-resistant patients. Three other antipsychotic medications may soon be available: ziprasidone, quetiapine and sertindole.