Pharmacotherapy for treatment-refractory schizophrenia.
BACKGROUND
despite advances in pharmacotherapy of schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, a large percentage of persons with schizophrenia remain at least partially nonresponsive to treatment, leading to increased morbidity/mortality, increased healthcare cost, and poor quality of life for affected individuals.


METHODS
this paper comprises a review of recent research in drug therapy for schizophrenia, particularly treatment-refractory schizophrenia, with a focus on research conducted between 2005 and June 2010. Databases that were searched include: Pubmed, CINAHL, Science Direct, Medline and Clinical Trials.gov. Primary search terms were 'treatment-refractory schizophrenia' and 'treatment-resistant schizophrenia', with cross reference to specific agents covered in this article. An objective perspective on current trends in pharmacotherapy for treatment-refractory schizophrenia. We review the available evidence and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of published data in this field.


CONCLUSIONS
although there have been many advances in pharmacotherapy for schizophrenia, more well-designed trials are required to establish true efficacy and safety of current prescribing trends in clinical practice.
Medical College of Georgia, Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior, Augusta, GA 30912, USA. svansant@mcg.edu
Scott P
SP
Van Sant
Peter F
PF
Buckley
D000818:Animals; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003024:Clozapine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000379:methods; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D011788:Quality of Life; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / Q000379:methods
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003024:Clozapine