Which antipsychotic medication is likely to be prescribed for a patient newly diagnosed with schizophrenia?

The medication most commonly prescribed for a patient newly diagnosed with schizophrenia is typically an antipsychotic. Risperidone is an atypical antipsychotic that has shown effectiveness in managing symptoms of schizophrenia, including hallucinations and delusions, making it a suitable choice for initial treatment. It is preferred due to its lower incidence of extrapyramidal side effects compared to first-generation antipsychotics like Haldol.

While Haldol is indeed an older antipsychotic and could be prescribed, Risperidone is often favored for its better side effect profile and greater efficacy in treating the negative symptoms of schizophrenia, such as social withdrawal and lack of motivation. The other medications listed, Sertraline and Fluoxetine, are antidepressants and are not indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia, further affirming that Risperidone is the more appropriate choice for this patient population.