Hey Sandy,
Your question is probematic in that it is difficult to know what you
mean by "more effective." For example a drug might be more potent,
but also have more side effects, a result that some would not claim is
"more effective." Still I trust that you will agree that I have
answered your question adequately below. Awaiting your reply. Good
luck!
Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 16th Edition reports that
"Atypical agents appear to be more effective in treating negative
symptoms and improving cognitive function." (see complete quote and
bibliography below.)
"Conventional antipsychotic agents are effective in 70% of patients
presenting with a first episode. Improvement may be observed within
hours or days, but full remission usually requires 6 to 8 weeks. The
choice of agent depends principally on the side-effect profile and
cost of treatment or on a past personal or family history of a
favorable response to the drug in question. Atypical agents appear to
be more effective in treating negative symptoms and improving
cognitive function.
(1)Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 16th Edition
Dennis L. Kasper, Eugene Braunwald, Anthony S. Fauci, Stephen L.
Hauser, Dan L. Longo, J. Larry Jameson, and Kurt J. Isselbacher, Eds.
Additionally, I have included below an excerpt from one of the "gold
standard" publications in the pharmacology field, i.e., Goodman &
Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 11th Edition
Laurence L. Brunton, John S. Lazo, Keith L. Parker, Iain L. O. Buxton,
Donald Blumenthal, Eds.
The search for novel compounds that share the antidopaminergic and
potent antiserotonergic actions of risperidone and clozapine led to
the development of the indole-like heterocyclic agent ziprasidone.
Ziprasidone (GEODON) is in clinical use, although it is associated
with prolongation of the QTc interval. Ziprasidone is a combined
dopamine D2/5-HT2A,2C,1D receptor antagonist and 5-HT1A agonist
(Gunasekara et al., 2002; Stimmel et al., 2002). In addition,
ziprasidone has an antidepressant-like pharmacological feature: It
inhibits 5-HT and norepinephrine reuptake with moderate potency. The
combination of 5-HT1D antagonism, 5-HT1A agonism, and inhibition of
monoamine reuptake by ziprasidone is consistent with potential for
antidepressant or anxiolytic activity in patients with psychotic
disorders. Ziprasidone also is indicated for the treatment of
schizophrenia and mania (Stimmel et al., 2002).
Efforts to develop dopamine D2 receptor partial agonists as potential
atypical antipsychotics produced aripiprazole (ABILIFY). In addition
to its partial-agonist activity at D2 receptors, aripiprazole has
partial-agonist effects at serotonin 5-HT1A receptors, as well as
antagonistic activity at 5-HT2A receptors (Potkin et al., 2003). Other
similar agents, including bifeprunox, are currently in clinical
testing.
Lastly, if you'd like to compare studies, you can access
www.pubmed.com for more than you will ever want to read. |
