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New advances in pharmacotherapy for early psychosis
Author(s) -
Emsley Robin
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
early intervention in psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.087
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1751-7893
pISSN - 1751-7885
DOI - 10.1111/j.1751-7893.2009.00124.x
Subject(s) - tolerability , psychosis , antipsychotic , early psychosis , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , psychiatry , intervention (counseling) , pharmacotherapy , medicine , psychology , adverse effect
Aim: This review examines the use of antipsychotic medication during the early years of psychosis. Methods: A selective literature review was conducted. Results: The early years of schizophrenia represent a critical period for intervention. Importantly, first‐episode patients differ from those with chronic schizophrenia in several important respects. While treatment response to antipsychotic medication is better, the risk of relapse is also higher. While both first‐ and second‐generation antipsychotics are very effective in reducing symptoms, there are tolerability and some efficacy advantages for the second‐generation antipsychotics in first‐episode psychosis. Poor medication adherence is a significant problem in early psychosis that is linked to relapse and poses a major barrier to optimizing outcomes. Treatment strategies should focus on, among other things, improving antipsychotic medication adherence. Conclusions: The early years of psychosis offer the best opportunity for achieving optimal outcomes. Maintaining symptomatic remission is central to achieving functional recovery.