"Simple Algorithm May Improve Schizophrenia Symptoms Sooner" - Marilynn Larkin
Most patients in the early stages of schizophrenia can achieve symptom remission with sequential administration of amisulpride and clozapine, and the latter should be given after patients fail a single antipsychotic trial, researchers say. The study is practice-changing, and clinical guidelines should be changed as a result, said Rene S. Kahn, MD, PhD, Esther and Joseph Klingenstein professor and system chair of psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. "For most patients in the early stages of schizophrenia, symptomatic remission can be achieved using a simple treatment algorithm comprising the sequential administration of amisulpride and clozapine," he added. "Since switching to olanzapine did not improve outcome, clozapine should be used after patients fail a single antipsychotic trial - not until two antipsychotics have been tried, as is the current recommendation."
- Rene S. Kahn, MD, PhD, Esther and Joseph Klingenstein Professor, System Chair, Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Additional Coverage
Healio: Psychiatric Annals