title: The pharmacology and toxicology of atypical antipsychotic agents.
abstract: Recently, atypical antipsychotic agents have largely replaced traditional agents as first-line drugs for the treatment of schizophrenia. It is likely that atypical agents will soon account for the majority of poisonings from antipsychotic agents that present to health care facilities in the US. This article reviews the pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and toxicology of atypical antipsychotic drugs, chiefly clozapine, risperidone, olanzapine, and quetiapine. A descriptive summary of the human overdose experience with these agents is provided. Adverse effect and drug interaction data are reviewed. Based on the available pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic, and human overdose data, recommendations on management are provided.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA. mburns@caregroup.harvard.edu
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Burns
mesh_terms: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004347:Drug Interactions; D062787:Drug Overdose; D006801:Humans; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents