Since 1993, so-called atypical anti-psychotic drugs like Risperdal, Zyprexa, Seroquel, Geodon and Abilify, have been introduced and marketed as being more effective and having fewer neurological side effects than first-generation anti-psychotic drugs. But several recent large randomized studies, like the landmark Catie trial, failed to demonstrate these claims. This news was surprising to many psychiatrists and disappointing to the drug companies.
Nonetheless, there has been a vast expansion in the use of these second-generation drugs in patients of all ages, particularly young people.
And until recently, these drugs were used to treat a few serious psychiatric disorders. But now, these powerful medications are prescribed for conditions as varied as very mild mood disorders, everyday anxiety, insomnia and even mild emotional discomfort. The number of annual prescriptions for atypical anti-psychotics rose to 54 million in 2011 from 28 million in 2001, an increase of 93 percent.
