Abstract
The 1st generation antipsychotics are effective in the treatment of manic symptoms, agitation and aggression in acute mania. Most of the 2nd generation antipsychotic drugs have been found to be effective in clinical controlled trials.
A small number of patients treated with risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine or ziprasidone experience an induction of hypomania or mania. It is not apparent if this is a true drug-induced event or accidental one.
The 2nd generation antipsychotic drugs possess a number of advantages, including significantly less extrapyramidal symptoms, diminished risk of tardive dyskinesia, lack of increase in serum prolactin levels, and improvement in cognition. Although there are differences in the side effect profiles of the various second generation antipsychotics, their use is limited by adverse effects such as extrapyramidal symptoms, weight gain, and sexual dysfunction.