Treatment-resistant psychosis: Are 2 antipsychotics more effective than 1?
Current Psychiatry. 2005 July;04(07):12-20
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Combining antipsychotics is ‘safe’ for schizophrenia patients when the benefits outweigh the risks of ineffective single-drug therapy.
Table 3
3 tips for managing risk and medications
| Use objective, quantifiable symptom measures at regular intervals |
| Document patient’s risk of persistent psychosis, based on history |
| Discuss risks and benefits of other treatment options with the patient and/or family at regular intervals |
- How to use medication in a systematic and effective way, as part of the overall treatment for severe mental illness. In: Evidence-based practices: Shaping mental health services toward recovery. Medication management approaches in psychiatry. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/cmhs/communitysupport/toolkits/medication/.
- Texas Medication Algorithm Project (TMAP). https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/mhprograms/TIMA.shtm.
- Lehman AF, Lieberman JA, Dixon LB, et al. Practice guideline for the treatment of patients with schizophrenia, 2nd ed. Am J Psychiatry 2004;161(suppl):1–56.
- Clozapine • Clozaril
- Haloperidol • Haldol
- Quetiapine • Seroquel
- Risperidone • Risperdal
- Ziprasidone • Geodon
Dr. Miller receives research support from or is a consultant or speaker for Abbott Laboratories, Almirall, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., Eli Lilly and Co., Janssen Pharmaceutica, Pfizer Inc., and InforMedix.
