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An approach to treatment resistance in schizophrenia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 August 2018

Stephen R. Marder
Stephen R. Marder*
Affiliation:
West Los Angeles VA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90073, USA
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Abstract

Currently, patients with schizophrenia are usually considered refractory to treatment if they continue to be floridly symptomatic despite receiving treatment with conventional antipsychotic agents. Attempts to improve their response by increasing the dosage, adding supplementary drugs, or switching to agents of another class have not been very successful, and may increase side-effects. Clozapine can be effective, but it is a difficult drug to administer and has therefore been reserved for patients who are doing poorly. With the recent introduction of newer, safer antipsychotic agents, however, even patients who have milder refractory symptoms that persist after treatment with conventional antipsychotics can now be treated.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 174 , Issue S37: Focus on schizophrenia , February 1999 , pp. 19 - 22
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1999 

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