The pharmacology and toxicology of atypical antipsychotic agents

Recently atypical antipsychotic agents have largely replaced traditional ag ents as first-line drugs for the treatment of schizophrenia. It is likely t hat atypical agents will soon account for the majority of poisonings from a ntipsychotic agents that present to health care facilities in the US. This article reviews the pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and toxicology of a typical antipsychotic drugs, chiefly clozapine, risperidone, olanzapine, an d quetiapine. A descriptive summary of the human overdose experience with t hese agents is provided. Adverse effect and drug interaction data are revie wed. Based on the available pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic, and human ove r-dose data, recommendations on management are provided.