Predictors for Antipsychotic Dosage Change in the First Year of Treatment in Schizophrenia Spectrum and Bipolar Disorders.

ABSTRACT: Background: Use of antipsychotic medication is central in the treatment of psychotic disorders. However, there is limited knowledge about prescription practice of antipsychotics in the critical early phase of these disorders. Clinical guidelines recommend low dosages, but no discontinuation of antipsychotic medication during the first year of treatment in first episode patients. The main aim of this study was to identify clinical predictors for dosage change or discontinuation of antipsychotics during this period. Methods: A total of 426 antipsychotic-using patients with schizophrenia spectrum or bipolar disorder, including both a first treatment sample and a sample of patients with previous treated episodes ("multi-episode" sample) from the same diagnostic groups, underwent thorough clini

SUBMITTER: Ringen PA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6747902 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature