Antipsychotics and their Side Effects

Book excerpt: With the remarkable expansion in the use of antipsychotics, concerns about their immediate, intermediate, and long-term adverse effects have intensified. Despite this, studies consistently show that monitoring of patients taking antipsychotics can be inadequate, haphazard, or worse. This book provides a comprehensive review of the adverse effects of this pharmacologically complex therapeutic class, covering all commonly used conventional and atypical agents. In the first section, each chapter provides background information about an adverse effect, reviews the evidence linking the effect to various antipsychotics, and provides specific detection and monitoring recommendations. The second section provides unique monitoring guides for each antipsychotic. The third section provides the clinician with a program to monitor patients over the long-term. By supporting rational treatment decisions and systematic adverse effect monitoring, Antipsychotics and Their Side Effects provides the clinician with the necessary information and tools for optimizing the safe and effective long-term use of antipsychotic drugs.