Antipsychotic medication in the treatment of schizophrenia.
Antipsychotic medication remains the mainstay of both acute and long-term treatment for schizophrenia. Recent research has underscored the need for optimum dosing strategies. Relatively few patients benefit from high doses (e.g. greater than 15-20 mg per day of haloperidol or 500-800 mg/day of chlorpromazine). In poor or partial responders clozapine continues to be the treatment of choice. Risperidone is an effective antipsychotic with a good safety profile. Its potential advantages in terms of efficacy need to be further studied. An expanded data base from maintenance trials supports the use of continuing maintenance medication and provides guidelines for dosage requirements.
Kane
J M
JM
Department of Psychiatry, Hillside Hospital, Glen Oaks, New York, USA.
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003024:Clozapine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D007555:Isoxazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010880:Piperidines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D018967:Risperidone; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D007555:Isoxazoles; D010880:Piperidines; D003024:Clozapine; D018967:Risperidone