summary
In the last five years seven independently financed studies comparing first and second generation antipsychotics (fgas and sgas) have been published. Most of these studies were conducted among patients attending regular psychiatric practices. The results show that very few or no advantages are to be gained from using sgas rather than fgas. In general, the clinical effectiveness is not increased, but the side-effects are different. The effectiveness studies in fact definitely justify the selection of fgas (particularly those of low and medium potency) if a change in medication is indicated.