Abstract

SCHIZOPHRENIA: A REVIEW WITH EMPHASIS ON ATYPICAL ANTIPSYCHOTICS

Y. Sneha Priya and Dr. P. Kishore*

Abstract

This review describes schizophrenia and underlying pathological mechanisms, use and safety of atypical antipsychotics and how adverse effects are effecting the medication adherence in patient population. Schizophrenia is a chronic psychiatric illness with disabling symptoms, where the causes are multifactorial leading to the pathological changes in neurotransmitters. Pharmacological management includes treatment with typical and atypical antipsychotics. Typical antipsychotics are effective in treating schizophrenia but due to extrapyramidal side effects (EPS), there are not prescribed in recent times. Atypical Antipsychotics (AAP) due to their higher efficacy and safety profile, are more preferred. Both the class of drugs acts on dopamergic pathways to reduce symptoms in patients. The incidence of extrapyramidal side effects are lesser with atypical antipsychotics but the other side effects such as weight gain, metabolic disorders and dyslipidemia are leading to decrease in medication adherence among patients.

Keywords: Schizophrenia, Antipsychotics, Dopamine, Extrapyramidal Side Effects, Weight Gain, Medication Adherence.