Antipsychotics have been around since the 1950s when it was discovered chlorpromazine had beneficial effects in treating psychiatric patients. About fifteen antipsychotic drugs were developed between 1954 and 1975 in the United States with about 40 other antipsychotic drugs throughout the world. Some years passed until 1990 when clozapine made its entrance. Today, newer antipsychotic drugs, or atypical drugs, are preferred by psychiatrists and physicians for their patients. The drugs appear to have less damaging side effects than the older antipsychotic drugs (or typical drugs) and seem to be more effective in reducing the negative symptoms of the serious mental disorders.

Antipsychotics are used to treat such psychotic disorders as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and psychotic depression. The typical antipsychotic drugs are generally thought to have worse side effects than the atypical antipsychotic drugs. One of these worse side effects is one which is known to cause extrapyramidal symptoms, such as the following: muscle stiffness; odd body or facial movements; continuing muscle spasms; agitation; and tremors (shakiness).

However, these older medications may be as safe and as tolerable as the newer medications. Typical medications might have more side effects due to the fact that the doses were larger. This finding is according to a research study taken by CATIE (Clinical Antipsychotic Trials in Intervention Effectiveness) which is a research program studying the effectiveness of treatment and its results in schizophrenia and Alzheimer.s disease. Yet, there still remains some controversy concerning this topic.

Furthermore, it seems as if the typical antipsychotic medications have been less as effective in treating schizophrenia and its negative symptoms, such as: apathy (uncaring attitude); lack of facial expression or personality (.flat. expression); lack of communication; and without taking pleasure in activities normally pleasing). In this regards, the atypical antipsychotic medications have been more effective in treating the schizophrenic disorder and its negative symptoms. There is also controversy concerning this issue, as well. Of course, atypical antipsychotic drugs also have their own side effects. Among these side effects are the increased risks of unhealthy weight gain and of developing diabetes. The older medications do not have these side effects.

The atypical antipsychotic clozapine may well be the most effective of all the Antipsychotics, especially for those patients who have not responded well to the other antipsychotic drugs. However, there exists one major drawback with this medication; it can cause the dangerous side effect of agranulocytosis, which is the loss of white blood cells (these fight off infections in the body). Because of this risk, patients will need careful monitoring of their white blood cell counts every 7 to 14 days. As a result of this, the added inconvenience and cost of both blood tests and medication by itself makes the treatment with clozapine more difficult for quite a few people.

Since individuals respond so differently to different medications, a .trial and error. system must be in place. The physician will try different Antipsychotics or combinations of them with each patient, monitoring the patient closely until the antipsychotic drug or drugs are found which work the best. Of course, this process may take some time; however, the more thorough it is, the more beneficial to the patient.

Another factor regarding typical and atypical medications is the fact that the typical medications are much less expensive than the atypical ones; the newer medications are definitely more expensive. Also, since the medications can be too expensive for some people, sometimes patients or their families may hesitate to purchase them. Furthermore, patients with severe psychotic disorders may be unable to work and be considered disabled. In either case, public assistance through Medicaid or other programs, national, state, or local, can help. Indeed, the Antipsychotics are of primary importance in the mental recovery and well-being of the patient and there are those who truly and fully support this outcome.

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