Medications

Atypical Antipsychotic Drugs

Ten atypical antipsychotic drugs are currently approved in the United States:

• Clozapine (Clozaril, generic)
• Risperidone (Risperdal, generic)
• Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
• Quetiapine (Seroquel)
• Aripiprazole (Abilify)
• Ziprasidone (Geodon)
• Paliperidone (Invega)
• Iloperidone (Fanapt)
• Asenapine (Saphris)
• Lurasidone (Latuda)

Clozapine was the first atypical drug approved (in 1989), and lurasidone the most recently approved (in 2010). Clozapine and olanzapine appear to have more side effects than the other atypical antipsychotics, particularly in terms of causing weight gain, insulin resistance, and unhealthy cholesterol levels. For this reason, many doctors recommend against using clozapine or olanzapine as first-line drugs. However, clozapine may have specific benefits for controlling positive symptoms, as well as violent, hostile, or suicidal behaviors.

Most atypical antipsychotics come in pill form, but some may come in liquid form or as an injection. In general, it may take up to 6 months before an atypical drug has an effect.

The atypical antipsychotics zotepine (Zoleptil) and amisulpride (Solian) are not approved for use in the United States.

Benefits of Atypical Antipsychotics.

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Review Date: 01/27/2011
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)