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PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To analyse the prevalence of and sex and age distribution associated with antidepressant and antipsychotic drug exposure in the general population and to highlight recent epidemiological findings concerning specific adverse outcomes associated with drug exposure. RECENT FINDINGS: Epidemiological studies indicate high rates of second-generation antidepressant and antipsychotic drug use in the general population. The use is more prevalent among women than among men, and in older rather than in younger age groups. A new pattern of adverse outcomes has been described in individuals exposed to newer agents, including a possible risk of suicidal acts in adults receiving second-generation antidepressants, the risk of cerebrovascular events in older individuals receiving second-generation antipsychotics and the risk of metabolic disturbances in individuals exposed to specific second-generation antipsychotics. SUMMARY: The assessment of, and attention to, the development of specific adverse reactions in individuals exposed to second-generation psychotropic drugs may improve treatment outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]