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Mental health charities have welcomed a recommendation for newer antipsychotic drugs to be considered as a first choice option to treat people with schizophrenia, but warned that other mental health services could suffer as a result, writes Katie Leason.

New guidance from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence recommends to the NHS in England and Wales that newer, 'atypical' antipsychotics should be considered alongside the existing traditional medicines.

The established medicines only cost around £70 per person per year, but can have side effects such as shaking, blurred vision and weight gain, whereas the newer antipsychotics can have fewer side effects, but cost around £1,220 per person per year.

NICE estimates that making these drugs available would cost an extra £70 million per year, but predicts a shift from inpatient hospital care to community care which is cheaper.

The National Schizophrenia Fellowship said primary care trusts and other budget holders must implement the decision, but warned that without additional resources other mental health services could suffer as funds are diverted.

"The government has a duty to foot the bill so that its plans to raise standards across mental health stay on course," said chief executive Cliff Prior.

Charity Mind welcomed the emphasis the new guidance has placed on informed discussions between the clinician and person being treated, but was concerned that funds for mental health services could be eroded and spent on other parts of the NHS.

Guidance from http://www.nice.org.uk/pdf/ANTIPSYCHOTICfinalguidance.pdf