title: [Problems when switching antipsychotics].
abstract: Most patients with schizophrenia switch antipsychotics (APs) either due to lack of efficacy or due to side effects. Changing AP, especially switching from clozapine, may lead to deterioration in the patient's condition because of pharmacodynamic differences between the existing and the new AP. A meta-analysis including four studies found no differences between switch strategies while three recent studies each found a positive short term effect of a crossover strategy compared to an abrupt switch. Based on the lack of evidence we recommend a slow withdrawal with a crossover strategy when switching AP.
authors.affiliation: Psykiatrisk Center Glostrup, Region Hovedstadens Psykiatri, Nordre Ringvej 67, 2600 Glostrup, Denmark. rasmusmaltesen@gmail.com
authors.forename: Henrik Rasmus
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Maltesen
authors.forename: Henrik K F
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Lublin
mesh_terms: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D057285:Precision Medicine; D011605:Psychoses, Substance-Induced / Q000209:etiology; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000187:drug effects; D012307:Risk Factors; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface