title: Auditing clinical outcomes after introducing off-licence prescribing of atypical antipsychotic melperone for patients with treatment refractory schizophrenia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the practical utility of off-licence prescribing and clinical outcomes of treatment with atypical antipsychotic Melperone.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective data collection on patient's clinical characteristics and outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  17 patients with a diagnosis of refractory schizophrenia were identified as suitable for off-license prescribing of Melperone and commenced treatment (13 were previously treated with Clozapine). Seven of those currently remain on Melperone (41%), and for six patents, the BPRS symptom scores reduced significantly over time (24-61%) additionally patients displayed improvements of their quality of life. Six patients were discontinued due to noncompliance and/or side effects. Melperone was ineffective in the other four patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The example of a small group of patients responding well to a comparably safe and inexpensive atypical antipsychotic with favourable side effect profile should encourage clinicians to use this tool as third-line treatment and to conduct more systematic clinical research.
authors.affiliation: Newham Centre for Mental Health, East London NHS Foundation Trust and University of Essex, London E13 8SP, UK. f.rohricht@ntlworld.com
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Röhricht
authors.forename: Seema
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gadhia
authors.forename: Rinku
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Alam
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Willis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D002090:Butyrophenones / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D003024:Clozapine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D056687:Off-Label Use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D002090:Butyrophenones; D003024:Clozapine; C008522:metylperon