Tolerability of antipsychotics: recent controversies and future management.

Individuals with schizophrenia experience increased morbidity and mortality due to both natural and unnatural causes. Some antipsychotics used to treat this disorder may contribute to the poor physical health in this population. Clinicians must accept responsibility for both the physical and mental health care of patients with schizophrenia by preferentially selecting antipsychotics with a low incidence of adverse side effects, monitoring for any metabolic disturbances that may be associated with these drugs, and actively managing risk factors that may worsen patients' physical health. ©Copyright 2009 Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc.