Atypical Antipsychotics

Atypical antipsychotics are drugs that are prescribed to treat certain psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia and psychotic depression. They differ from older, "typical" antipsychotics in several ways, including an increased risk of weight gain. However, research now suggests that typical and atypical versions are more similar than previously thought, although there is still controversy surrounding this.

What Are Atypical Antipsychotics?

Atypical
 antipsychotics are prescription medications used to treat psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or psychotic depression.
 
There are two basic types of antipsychotics: older, "typical" antipsychotics (also known as first-generation antipsychotics) and newer, "atypical" antipsychotics (also known as second-generation antipsychotics). While there are several important differences between the two, recent research suggests that they may be more similar than once thought.
 
Atypical antipsychotics include:
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
 
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