Evidence for Using Atypical Antipsychotics in Psychosis

Conventional antipsychotics have been used as treatment for schizophrenia and other psychotic illnesses for 50 years. While they offer relief for most schizophrenic symptoms, many people have been intolerant of or unresponsive to conventional antipsychotic treatment. Because atypical antipsychotics provide relief against schizophrenic symptoms with a better side effect profile than conventional antipsychotics, some feel that atypical antipsychotics should be considered a first-line treatment. Others believe that atypicals should mainly be used for patients who are intolerant of conventional antipsychotics. Long-term studies and studies on patients’ subjective well-being indicate that atypical antipsychotics may be superior to conventional antipsychotics in treating schizophrenia.