Pitfalls of antipsychotic use in general hospital settings

Abstract

Antipsychotics are used not only to treat psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder but also to manage delirium in general hospital settings. Nonetheless, the evidence supporting the use of antipsychotic agents to treat delirium remains limited. An increasing number of observational studies indicate an elevated risk of metabolic disorders, venous thromboembolism, and aspiration pneumonia in antipsychotic drug users. This article reviews current clinical practice to manage antipsychotic-induced adverse events in general hospital settings. Strategies to prevent antipsychotic adverse events are focused on its affinity to various monoamine receptors.