title: Melperone in treatment-refractory schizophrenia: a case series.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Clozapine is the treatment of choice in refractory schizophrenia, but a substantial proportion of patients experience inadequate response or tolerate the drug poorly. Melperone has been suggested as a possible alternative in such patients. This case series examines the efficacy of melperone in refractory schizophrenia.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients prescribed melperone at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust were identified using a pharmacy database. The main outcome was to determine the proportion of patients discharged on melperone.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three of 21 patients were discharged on melperone. The primary reason for discontinuation was lack of efficacy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Melperone may be an option in a very few patients with refractory schizophrenia, but it should not be considered as an alternative to clozapine.
authors: National Psychosis Service, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
authors: Eromona
authors: E
authors: Whiskey
authors: Marta
authors: M
authors: Vavrova
authors: Fiona
authors: F
authors: Gaughran
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Taylor
keywords: antipsychotic agents; clozapine; melperone; schizophrenia
references: Schizophr Bull. 2009 Mar;35(2):458-68
references: 18436527
references: Psychiatry Res. 2001 Dec 31;105(3):201-9
references: 11814539
references: Acta Psychiatr Scand. 2009 Jun;119(6):419-25
references: 19245679
references: Eur J Pharmacol. 1993 Jun 4;236(3):483-6
references: 8102973
references: Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1988 Sep;45(9):789-96
references: 3046553
references: Br J Psychiatry. 2008 Jun;192(6):435-9
references: 18515893
references: Psychopharmacology (Berl). 1989;99 Suppl:S68-72
references: 2813667
references: Arch Psychiatr Nervenkr (1970). 1979;227(3):181-92
references: 94992
references: Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1976 Jun;33(6):766-71
references: 938196