Sertindole, a new antipsychotic drug

The new generation of antipsychotic drugs is all the more wellcome following the extended drug development void between 1978 and 1990. Sertindole, the newest compound to be introduced, was prospectively designed based on the depolarization block model to be a potent antipsychotic with minimal or no motor side effects. Indeed, clinical studies show that sertindole has a potent therapeutic effect on positive and negative symptoms of psychosis, while producing placebo-level motor side effects including parkinsonism and akathisia. The other reported side effect, QT interval prolongation, has not been associated with any adverse cardiac event(s). In summary, sertindole has a potent antipsychotic action with an advantageous motor side-effect profile, and is thus an important new addition to the neuroleptic armamentarium.