Olanzapine and the New Generation of Antipsychotic Agents: Patterns of Use

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