Antipsychotic Treatment Guidelines for Schizophrenia

Treatment Duration and Efficacy Assessment

• The American Psychiatric Association recommends that each antipsychotic trial should last at least 4-6 weeks at therapeutic doses to properly assess efficacy, as stated by The Lancet Psychiatry 1
• If significant positive symptoms persist after 4 weeks at therapeutic doses with good adherence, switching to an alternative antipsychotic should be discussed, according to The Lancet Psychiatry 1
• After failure of two adequate antipsychotic trials, each lasting at least 4-6 weeks at therapeutic doses, clozapine should be considered, as recommended by The Lancet Psychiatry and supported by Praxis Medical Insights 1, 2