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Treatment of Schizophrenia
Treatment Resistant Schizophrenia
It is estimated that 10-30% of patients with schizophrenia have little or no response to antipsychotic medications and that an additional 30% of patients have only a partial response. Treatment resistance is defined as little or no symptomatic response to at least two antipsychotic drugs, each taken over at least a 6-week period. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) notes that clozapine may be effective for these patients and there are studies that have been published indicating that the newer second generation antipsychotics may be effective as well. Investigation continues regarding how high a dose can be prescribed where the medication is effective and still has tolerable side effects. The APA and the Schizophrenia Patient Outcomes Research Team (PORT) recommend cognitive behavioral therapy for treatment-resistant patients with schizophrenia. The issue of treatment-resistant schizophrenia is a very important one and active research continues to look for effective ways to manage this condition.
