Archive 1995–2023

New atypical neuroleptics, recently named "antipsychotic drugs of second generation", are continually studied and compared in terms of their clinical action specificity as well as their undesirable side effects. Consequently, the body of knowledge about these drugs is growing, and results of their side effects evaluation allow to revise the existing opinions about safety of these, as well as other, traditional psychotropic drugs administration. This pertains especially to the so-called silent symptoms, until quite recently regarded as an indispensable side effect of treatment. Data on frequency and clinical consequences of side effects of antipsychotic drugs, above all, of second generation, are summarized in the paper. Particular drugs differ as regards the risk of side effects.
On these grounds the principles of monitoring and the choice of treatment can be specified more precisely.