Utilizing pharmacodynamic properties of second-generation antipsychotics to guide treatment.

Second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) are used for the treatment of multiple psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia, bipolar depression, bipolar mania, autism and major depressive disorder. Additionally, their off-label use has been expanding to include other disorders as well, including post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, eating disorders and personality disorders. All SGAs share common properties; however, each individual SGA has a unique pharmacodynamic profile that may be utilized to guide and individualize treatment.