SOME FACTS ABOUT ANTIPSYCHOTICS

We believe that psychotic symptoms are due to some chemical imbalance in the brain and antipsychotics somehow correct the chemical imbalance and thereby improve symptoms. Antipsychotics are divided to two main groups:

1) Typical antipsychotics and
2) atypical antipsychotics

Atypical antipsychotics are so called as they cause less side effects (extra-pyramidal side effects e.g. tremors, rigidity etc...).

For new onset psychosis, we got to start with atypical antipsychotics such as olanzapine, risperidone, amisulpride etc...

After we tried two different antipsychotics including atypical ones at the effective doses for about 6 weeks, we have to consider Clozapine for the psychosis (schizophrenia). Clozapine is very effective drug but only try after 2 antipsychotics as mentioned because it can cause a serious side effect called "neutropenia" which is basically reduced white cells count in the blood. White blood cells are necessary by body to defend bacteria and other pathogens such as virus. Therefore it (neutropenia) is serious side effect. That is why we got to monitor the white blood cells from the patients who are taking clozapine.

That is some facts from my experience. You may add on any facts you think might be relavent.