Acute and Long-Term Adverse Effects of Antipsychotics

Abstract

Antipsychotics have become the cornerstone of management for many severe mental disorders. Primarily developed for the treatment of schizophrenia, several antipsychotics have been indicated for bipolar mania, bipolar depression, and irritability associated with autistic disorder. Antipsychotics are also used off label for psychotic or refractory depression; refractory anxiety disorders; and conditions associated with agitated or aggressive behaviors. Due to the severity and chronicity of severe mental disorders, the broad range of potential treatment targets, and the relative ease of use of second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs), which are associated with a lower risk of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) and tardive dyskinesia (TD), prescribing rates have increased considerably over the last decade. With increased utilization of these medications comes a greater responsibility to appropriately recognize, monitor, and manage side-effect clusters that can adversely affect physical and mental outcomes.