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Reducing Dosage in Maintenance Treatment of Schizophrenia

Review and Prognosis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 August 2018

Nina R. Schooler
Nina R. Schooler*
Affiliation:
University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic, 3811 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
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Abstract

This paper reviews the assumptions and efficacy of two strategies for dose reduction during maintenance treatment in schizophrenia: low dose and targeted medication. Studies of low-dose treatment suggest that it can be used for relatively short periods of time or if the dosage reduction is moderate. Studies of targeted treatment suggest that relapse risk increases significantly compared with standard-dose treatment and that there are few offsetting advantages. The paper also reports initial findings from the NIMH Treatment Strategies in Schizophrenia Study, which compares low dose, targeted treatment and a standard dose in the context of two forms of family treatment. Early stabilisation of patients is lower than expected, but patient characteristics are useful in predicting likelihood of stabilisation.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 163 , Issue S22: The Psychopharmacology of Schizophrenia , December 1993 , pp. 58 - 65
Copyright
Copyright © 1993 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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