It appears that newer antipsychotics, such as Zyprexa from Eli Lilly and Risperdal from Janssen are no more effective for relieving symptoms of schizophrenia in children and adolescents than older and less expensive antipsychotic medications. A new government study published online by the American Journal of Psychiatry found no major differences in treatment outcomes, but found significant differences between older and newer antipsychotics in side effects among youths taking the drugs.

For the study, researchers randomly assigned 116 children and adolescents aged 8 to 19 to receive the older antipsychotic drug molindone (also known as Moban) or newer antipsychotics olanzapine or risperidone. The participants were followed for a period of eight weeks.

All drugs were found to relieve the symptoms of schizophrenia, but the children who took the newer drugs gained about 13 pounds during the treatment and they also experienced increases in total cholesterol, LDL “bad” cholesterol, insulin and liver enzymes. The children and teens who took the older antipsychotic drug experienced no weight gain, but they had to take another drug to reduce muscle cramps and stiffness. The newer-generation drugs were developed to avoid the side effects of older drugs, which can produce Parkinson-like symptoms, such as involuntary movements, rigidity and even permanent physical disabilities.

According to the Department of Health & Human Services, schizophrenia occurs in about three out of every 1,000 adolescents.

These studies “remind us again that the medications we have may be necessary but not sufficient. We need to do much better both with psychosocial treatments as well coming up with a third-generation of medications that are just far more effective,” researchers concluded.