title: Treatment of non-schizophrenic disorders: focus on atypical antipsychotics.
abstract: Antipsychotics are commonly used for conditions other than schizophrenia, yet support for such use in the literature is unclear. This article reviews the literature on the pharmacologic treatment of specific types of non-schizophrenic disorders: those associated with psychotic depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, bipolar disorder, and dementia. It focuses on the evidence for using antipsychotics in these conditions, placing emphasis on atypical antipsychotics. Medline/HealthStar and PsycInfo databases were used to identify published trials and reports of antipsychotics used specifically for non-schizophrenic disorders. Numerous studies were found supporting the use of atypical antipsychotics for non-schizophrenic disorders; however, with the exception of dementia, few randomized, double-blind controlled trials have been published examining the efficacy and safety of these agents in non-schizophrenic disorders. In general, most trials were restricted to short-term use as adjunctive therapy. The literature reviewed was primarily comprised of small open-label trials, thus making it difficult to draw definitive conclusions. Despite the limitations of the trials reviewed, atypical antipsychotics represent a promising treatment modality when considering their improved side effect profile compared to conventional agents. Appropriate dosing and the use of antipsychotics in combination with psychosocial treatments are important treatment considerations. Due to the frequent clinical use of atypical antipsychotics as adjunctive therapy, well-designed trials of these agents in non-schizophrenic disorders are necessary.
authors.affiliation: University of California, San Diego, San Diego VA Medical Centre (116A-1), 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA 92161, USA. djeste@ucsd.edu
authors.forename: Dilip V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Jeste
authors.forename: Christian R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Dolder
mesh_terms: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents