ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION Antipsychotics are relatively well tolerable substances with a broad therapeutic index. Severe complications are extremely rare. Tardive dyskinesia is to be considered a specifically impairing side effect of First Generation Antipsychotics (FGAs) due to frequency and chronicity. Since the introduction of the Second Generation Antipsychotics (SGAs) weight gain and the associated metabolic syndrome are considered important also. In terms of a risk-benefit analysis these, as well as all other side effects, have to be put in relation to the severity of the basic disease and are considered justifiable regarding the aspect of disadvantageous prognosis of many patients with schizophrenic diseases. In case of indications outside schizophrenia, for example affective disorders, the weighing should respectively be different. A number of other frequently occurring side effects, for example xerostomia, are subjectively annoying rather than clinically relevant. For the recording of important clinical side effects such as change in the blood picture or cardiovascular disorders, regular check-ups are necessary.
