Atypical antipsychotics for treatment of depression in schizophrenia and affective disorders

Depression in schizophrenia may be partially responsible for the increased suicide rate in schizophrenic patients, which is more than 20 times higher than that found in the general population. Affective disorders in patients with schizophrenia are associated with a poor outcome, an increased risk of relapse, and a high rate of suicide. There is evidence that atypical antipsychotics may contribute to a reduction in suicidality, and although the new drugs are marketed for the treatment of schizophrenia, their novel psychopharmacologic effects suggest the possibility of other therapeutic applications. Recent studies of the efficacy of the novel antipsychotics found that these agents may produce an antidepressant effect in schizophrenia and may be used as either an adjunctive medication or an alternative to mood stabilizers in patients with affective disorders.