title: Intermittent medication for stable schizophrenic outpatients: an alternative to maintenance medication.
abstract: Because of neuroleptics' potential long-term side effects, the authors conducted a pilot study of an alternative to maintenance medication for stable schizophrenic outpatients. The doses of 19 patients were gradually reduced to zero over 8 weeks, and medication was then given only when a patient experienced early signs of relapse. The patients attended weekly group therapy and were closely monitored for prodromal signs, especially at times of stress; significant others helped observe patients. Five patients experienced increased symptoms during the drug washout period and were dropped from the study; of the remaining 14, 10 remained stable on the intermittent medication protocol.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents