What are antipsychotic medications?
Psychotic illnesses such as schizophrenia are associated with changes in brain chemistry. Antipsychotic medications assist the brain to restore its usual chemical balance - reducing symptoms so that the person feels better.

What are atypical antipsychotic medications
In recent years a new generation of antipsychotic medications has become available. These ‘atypical’ medications include clozapine (brand name, Clozaril),risperidone ( brand name,
Risperdal),olanzapine (brand name, Zyprexa), quetiapine (brand name, Seroquel) and amisulpride (brand name Solian).

What makes atypical medications different?
The new antipsychotic medications have a number of advantages. They lead to fewer of the unpleasant side-effects, such as trembling or stiffening of muscles, associated with the older medications. This is a major factor in making them more acceptable to people, especially in the early stages of the illness. There may be less risk of developing 'tardive dyskinesia' - a particular movement disorder which develops over the long term in some people, and which does not respond to treatment. Another advantage is that there is some evidence they are effective against the 'negative' symptoms, helping people to feel less withdrawn and more motivated.

Do they have any disadvantages?
Any antipsychotic medication may have unwanted side-effects. While the new medications have fewer or none of the movement disorder side-effects, they may have others.

It is important to remember that the same medication can affect people quite differently. In other words, not everyone who takes a particular medication will have the same unwanted side-effects.

Are they available to anyone who needs them?
Clozaril, risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine and amisulpride have been approved for use in Australia, and have been accepted for Commonwealth PBS listing. This means that they can be prescribed by doctors whenever it is considered appropriate, just like any other medication.

Are they enough on their own?
Antipsychotic medication is rarely sufficient treatment on its own.
In addition to medication, effective treatment for psychotic illnesses such as schizophrenia includes ongoing clinical support in the community, education about the illness and how to deal with it, psychosocial rehabilitation, accommodation support, and a range of other services.

Carers, too, need accurate, easily-understood information about medication and other aspects of treatment, so that they are best able to support the person with the mental illness lead as independent life as possible.

How do I find out more?
It is important that you discuss any concerns you have with your doctor or case manager. The SANE Guide to Treatments contains more detailed information on medications and other forms of treatment for people seriously affected by mental illness. For further information or for details of support organisations, email the SANE Helpline.

SANE Australia . . . Meeting the challenge of mental illness
New Antispsychotic Medications

©SANE Factsheet 10, Side 1
This Factsheet may be freely downloaded, copied and distributed on condition no change is made to the contents. SANE Australia is not responsible for any actions taken as a result of information or opinions contained in the Factsheet. SANE Australia is a business name of Schizophrenia Australia Foundation.
[Version English, Reviewed March 2004]