Low-dose depot medication in schizophrenia.
Depot antipsychotic medication is a major component of the maintenance treatment of schizophrenia, but it is still not clear what constitutes an appropriate dose. A number of studies comparing low with standard doses of depot antipsychotic medication on a variety of outcome measures have been published in the last decade. A review of these studies indicates that, compared to standard-dose treatment, low-dose medication tends to improve psychosocial function and reduce the frequency of side effects but may result in an increase in positive symptoms. In such cases, a temporary increase in dose appears to control symptoms and terminate relapse episodes. An explanation of the relative efficacy of low-dose treatment may be derived from recent work in radioreceptor ligand binding.
Burnett
P L
PL
Hillcrest Hospital, South Australia.
Galletly
C A
CA
Moyle
R J
RJ
Clark
C R
CR
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations