Pharmacologic Agents for the Treatment of Schizophrenia: Similarities and Differences

Although the efficacy of conventional antipsychotic agents is attributed to dopamine receptor antagonism, this blockade induces many adverse effects as welt In addition, conventional antipsychotic agents are relatively ineffective against negative symptoms and have significant rates of nonresponse and relapse. Clozapine and risperidone, "atypical" antipsychotic agents, differ from conventional agents in their receptor-binding profiles and clinical effects. They are effective for acute and treatment-resistant schizophrenia, with different, and perhaps, more tolerable side effect profiles. This article compares the mechanisms of action, efficacy, and adverse effects of the typical and atypical antipsychotic agents.