Olanzapine and the new generation of antipsychotic agents: patterns of use

As the new generation of atypical antipsychotics becomes available, the limitations of the older typical agents become apparent. The new medications, which have benefits other than the alleviation of positive symptoms of schizophrenia, may also be beneficial for psychotic disorders that have responded poorly to conventional neuroleptics. This article will describe the potential use of the atypical antipsychotics, especially olanzapine, for affective mood disturbances in schizophrenia, psychotic depression and mania, first-break schizophrenia, comorbid schizophrenia and substance abuse disorders, dementia in the elderly and those with late-onset schizophrenia, and behavioral problems in patients with mental retardation or developmental delays.