title: Maintenance therapy.
abstract: This algorithm for patients recovered from acute exacerbation consists of 18 lines. The choice of the initial treatment depends on whether it is the first episode or one of multiple episodes. The patient who has not had a relapse during the last 3 years should be treated in the same way to the patient recovering from a first episode. When patients do not recur for 6 months with a half-dose of neuroleptics after gradual tapering, the clinician may discontinue the neuroleptics over several months. The clinician, in cases of discontinuation, needs to consider several issues including psychosocial interventions.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Institute, Minami-Hanamaki National Hospital, Hanamaki, Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Saito
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Saijo
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000465:Algorithms; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D012008:Recurrence; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents