Atypical antipsychotics. Part I: Pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy.

Objective: To compare the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of the newer atypical antipsychotics with those of conventional agents and existing atypical agents.

Methods: Information was retrieved from a MEDLINE English-literature search from July 1986 to June 1998 and by review of references. Indexing terms included neuroleptics, atypical antipsychotics, clozapine, risperidone, olanzapine, sertindole, quetiapine, and ziprasidone. Methods: Comparative studies were selected when possible; placebo-controlled studies were included when data were limited on newer atypical antipsychotics. Methods: Emphasis was placed on properly designed clinical trials that assessed dosage, expanded efficacy, enhanced adverse effect profile, and cost.

Results: Like other atypical antipsychotics, the newer agents have an enhanced 5-hydroxytryptophan/dopaminergic receptors (5-HT2/D2) affinity ratio and undergo extensive biotransformation. Risperidone and olanzapine demonstrate more favorable efficacy/adverse effect ratios than clozapine, sertindole, and conventional antipsychotics in nonrefractory and refractory schizophrenics. Future studies will more clearly define the role of quetiapine and ziprasidone in antipsychotic therapy.

Conclusions: Data from controlled trials on efficacy and extrapyramidal side effects support risperidone or olanzapine as first-line agents for the treatment of schizophrenia. Pharmacologic and pharmacokinetic factors do not distinguish between agents sufficiently for drug selection.