Low dose typical antipsychotics – a brief evaluation

Abstract

Atypical antipsychotics have, according to some, revolutionised the treatment of schizophrenia. These drugs are claimed to be better tolerated than older typical drugs largely because of their lower propensity to cause acute extrapyramidal side-effects (EPSE). Some atypicals cause little or no hyperprolactinaemia. Some are suggested to cause less tardive dyskinesia than typical drugs. Many are claimed to improve, to a relatively greater extent, negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. In addition, one atypical, clozapine, is unarguably more effective than typical drugs in the treatment of refractory schizophrenia. Atypical drugs are now sometimes recommended as first choice treatment for schizophrenia (Lieberman, 1996; Taylor et al, 2000).