Reducing Dosage in Maintenance Treatment of Schizophrenia

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.