Antipsychotic Drug Treatment in First-Episode Psychosis. Should Patients be Switched to a Different Antipsychotic Drug After 2, 4, or 6 Weeks of Nonresponse?
2010
Abstract
The objective of the study was to test whether patients should be switched to an alternative antipsychotic treatment at 2, 4, or 6 weeks from treatment initiation. Remission within 12 months was assessed in 299 first-episode patients who completed the full 12-month European First-Episode Schizophrenia Trial.
Based on baseline and 2-week assessments, remission status was correctly predicted in 61% of the patients. This percentage increased to 63% and 68% by the inclusion of 4- and 6-week assessments, respectively.
Although we confirmed earlier findings that 2-week measures of response are associated with remission, the prediction of remission is significantly improved by the inclusion of 4- and 6-week assessments.