Pharmacological approaches to the management of schizophrenia: 10 years on

Abstract

Objective: To review the contemporary landscape regarding pharmacological treatments for schizophrenia.

Method: Selective literature review.

Results: Newer antipsychotic agents include aripiprazole, asenapine, paliperidone, sertindole and ziprasidone. Each has some particular benefits and some shortcomings. Overall treatment efficacy (for positive symptoms at least) has not advanced substantially but some newer agents might have a better profile than older typical agents for negative and cognitive symptoms. Metabolic side effects and hyperprolactinaemia remain a problem with some of the newer agents and appropriate monitoring is required.

Conclusions: Whilst newer antipsychotics have been welcome additions to our pharmacological armamentarium, mostly in terms of tolerability, we have still not seen a 'quantum leap' agent brought to market. Mechanisms of action apart from post-synaptic dopamine blockade appear worthy of further investigation in this regard.

Keywords: atypical antipsychotic; hyperprolactinaemia; metabolic syndrome; schizophrenia; typical antipsychotic.