In Review New Antipsychotics, Compliance, Quality of Life, and Subjective Tolerability—Are Patients Better Off?

Over the past 50 years, antipsychotic medications haveemerged as the cornerstone in the management of schizophrenia. However, the unrivalled role of first-generation antipsychotics in use for almost 4 decades has constantly been challenged by their wide range of side effects. Prominent among these side effects are a wide range of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), lack of subjective toler-ability, and negative impact on quality of life and functional Can J Psychiatry, Vol 49, No 5, May 2004 297 Objectives: This overview reviews the impact of second-generation antipsychotics on less frequently researched outcomes such as medication-adherence behaviour, quality of life, and subjective tolerability in patients with schizophrenia. Methods: We selectively reviewed recent literature and considered our own research and experiences in the field. Results: Most published studies about second-generation antipsychotics have dealt with issues related to efficacy and safety. So far, not many studies have focused on effectivenes