title: New advances in pharmacotherapy for early psychosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This review examines the use of antipsychotic medication during the early years of psychosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A selective literature review was conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The early years of schizophrenia represent a critical period for intervention. Importantly, first-episode patients differ from those with chronic schizophrenia in several important respects. While treatment response to antipsychotic medication is better, the risk of relapse is also higher. While both first- and second-generation antipsychotics are very effective in reducing symptoms, there are tolerability and some efficacy advantages for the second-generation antipsychotics in first-episode psychosis. Poor medication adherence is a significant problem in early psychosis that is linked to relapse and poses a major barrier to optimizing outcomes. Treatment strategies should focus on, among other things, improving antipsychotic medication adherence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The early years of psychosis offer the best opportunity for achieving optimal outcomes. Maintaining symptomatic remission is central to achieving functional recovery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, Cape Town, South Africa. rae@sun.ac.za
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Emsley
mesh_terms: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000627:therapeutic use; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D055118:Medication Adherence; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055502:Secondary Prevention
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations