Antipsychotic drugs are among the most widely prescribed psychotropic medications for elderly people, particularly for the 5–8% of patients who are in institutions. The antipsychotics are indicated for treating psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia, delusional disorder, psychotic symptoms in mood disorders and for a number of organic psychoses. Behavioural and psychological symptoms in d...

BACKGROUND Although many studies have reported that glucose and lipid metabolism disorders are a significant side effect associated with the use of antipsychotic drugs, the characteristics of glucose and lipid metabolism disorders in patients with schizophrenia who are taking antipsychotic drugs remain poorly understood, and the possible effects that antipsychotic discontinuation may have on gl...

Objectives: The aim of the study was to examine the trend in incidence and prevalence of dementia, use and spending of antidementia and antipsychotic drugs among dementia patients. Methods: Using 2006-2012 Medicare claims data, we identified individuals with diagnosis of dementia and collected their pharmacy claims in 2006-2012. We built regression models to test the trend in number of prescrip...

BACKGROUND Second-generation antipsychotic drugs have been reported to cause fewer incidences of extrapyramidal side effects (EPSs) than typical antipsychotic drugs, but adverse events such as akathisia have been observed even with atypical antipsychotic drugs. Although understanding of the pathophysiology of akathisia remains limited, it seems that a complex interplay of several neurotransmitt...

BACKGROUND In recent years there have been concerns regarding the prescribing of antipsychotic drugs to patients with dementia in nursing homes, due to adverse effects, inappropriate indications and insufficient review. Our practice decided to look at this difficult area more closely. AIM The aim of this audit was to assess whether our prescribing of antipsychotic drugs in nursing homes was a...

OBJECTIVE We report 3 cases of intraoperative floppy-iris syndrome (IFIS) during cataract surgery in patients without a history of selective α1-blocker use but with a long-term history of antipsychotic drug use. We reviewed previously reported cases of antipsychotic drug-associated IFIS cases. DESIGN Observational case series. RESULTS In case 1, bilateral IFIS developed in a 39-year-old man...

Editorial Sexual dysfunction is a common side effect of psychotropic drugs and has received much attention because of its negative effects on quality of life and adherence to antidepressant agents. In patients with depression, sexual dysfunction can be attributed to the underlying disorder or to antidepressant drugs. Sexual dysfunction also can occur with first generation antipsychotic drugs an...

BACKGROUND Antipsychotic drugs are considered a trigger factor for autonomic dysregulation, which has been shown to predict potentially fatal arrhythmias in schizophrenia. However, the dose-dependent effect of antipsychotic drugs and other psychotropic drugs on autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the dose-dependent effect of antip...

OBJECTIVES To examine associations between exposure to various subgroups of antipsychotic drugs and risk of hip fracture in older adults. DESIGN Nationwide cohort study. SETTING Norway, 2005-2010. PARTICIPANTS Everyone living in Norway born before 1945 (N = 906,422). MEASUREMENTS Information was obtained on all prescriptions of antipsychotic drugs dispensed from 2004 to 2010 (Norwegian ...

The characteristics of new antipsychotic drugs (atypical antipsychotic drugs) and their effective use are discussed. Atypical antipsychotic drugs can be considered modified drugs that resulted when the dopamine D2 receptor-blocking effect of typical antipsychotic drugs was either lowered in affinity or combined with effects on other receptors (serotonin 5-HT2A receptor-blocking effect in partic...