Schizophrenia treatment: the use of atypical drugs--risperdal, zyperexa, and clozaril.

ABSTRACT

This article will briefly familiarize the reader with the positive and negative signs and with the symptoms of Schizophrenia. After describing these signs and symptoms, the atypical anti-psychotic medications of Risperidone, Olanzapine and Clozapine will be reviewed as to their pharmacodynamics, dosages, and side effects in treating of these sign and symptoms. Within the scope of practice for advance practice nurses, the care being rendered and the implementation of those atypical drugs will be described. Thanks to their educational and clinical background, the advanced practice nurses find themselves in a unique set of circumstances to positively contribute in the treatment and maintenance of Schizophrenia.