Drugs known as atypical antipsychotics, such as Risperdal, Zyprexa and Seroquel, can double an individual’s chance of experiencing sudden heart failure, according to a study published Thursday in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The odds of dying from adverse effects of such drugs is only about 3 percent, not significantly different from older antipsychotic drugs. However, these newer drugs had previously been thought safer than their predecessors. The risk of death does increase for those taking higher dosages of the drugs, according to the study.

An editorial accompanying the study, supports limiting prescriptions of antipsychotics particularly among children and the elderly, reports The New York Times. To read more click here.

Read more stories like this one. Sign up for Disability Scoop's free email newsletter to get the latest developmental disability news sent straight to your inbox.