As psychiatrists, we strive to do all we can for our patients, but what happens when circumstances force us to do less than our best?

Do antipsychotics raise breast cancer risk? A new study suggests that long-term use of prolactin-raising antipsychotics may increase that risk in women with severe mental illness. We review the findings, highlight which medications pose greater concern, and offer guidance on monitoring, screening, and prescribing safer alternatives when appropriate.

How long should we wait before changing an antipsychotic that doesn’t seem to be working? A large multicenter study finds that minimal symptom improvement by weeks two to four strongly predicts treatment failure and suggests an earlier switch can improve outcomes in schizophrenia.