Use of atypical antipsychotics in mood disorders

Cumulative data indicate that atypical antipsychotics can serve as adjunctive as well as alternative agents in the treatment of drug-resistant mood disorders. Olanzapine and risperidone add-on treatment was found to be effective for major depression with psychotic features and good results were achieved with currently available atypical antipsychotics (clozapine, risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine and ziprasidone) in reducing symptoms of acute mania, especially when added to mood stabilizers. The role of atypical antipsychotics in maintenance and prophylactic treatment is not yet clear. Although there are differences in the side effect profiles of the various atypical antipsychotics, their use is limited by adverse effects such as extrapyramidal symptoms, weight gain, somnolence and sexual dysfunction.