Chapter 10

Antipsychotics

Juan Medrano

Abstract

Antipsychotics are those psychiatric drugs primarily used for the treatment of psychosis, mainly schizophrenia. Since their introduction, they have been used in a host of indications, but apart from mood disorders and somatoform disorders or insomnia in some European countries, most non-psychosis uses are off-label. Antipsychotics are associated to serious adverse effects, which call for a careful use, especially in the elderly, a population characterized by pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes, and frailty. Clozapine, the gold standard antipsychotic, is probably the most difficult to use, but with a judicious use it can be safe and effective in the elderly.

Total Pages: 217-240 (24)

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