Clozapine augmentation with cariprazine for negative symptoms: a case series and literature review.

Only about 50% of patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia respond to clozapine, and many more patients continue to experience ongoing and prominent negative symptoms. These negative symptoms, for which there are limited pharmacological options, may represent the greatest barrier to functional recovery. Cariprazine is a novel antipsychotic drug that is a partial agonist at dopamine D and D receptors with preferential binding to the D receptor, antagonism of 5HT receptors, and partial agonism at 5HT receptors.

Incident infection during the first year of treatment - A comparison of clozapine and paliperidone palmitate long-acting injection.

Background: To examine the risk of infection in patients prescribed clozapine compared with patients prescribed paliperidone palmitate long-acting injection (PPLAI).

Method: A retrospective, 1-year, cohort study conducted on events occurring in eligible patients beginning treatment for the first time with clozapine or PPLAI between June 2017 and June 2019 in a UK mental health trust providing in-patient and out-patient services.

Results: The study included 64 patients starting clozapine and 120 patients starting PPLAI.

Positive views on antipsychotic long-acting injections: results of a survey of community patients prescribed antipsychotics.

Background: We aimed to assess patients' views about antipsychotic long-acting injections (LAIs).

Methods: We interviewed patients prescribed an antipsychotic (oral or LAI) in our community teams. In a subanalysis, responses were analysed for differences between patients currently receiving an LAI and those prescribed only oral medication.

Haloperidol decanoate long-acting injection (HDLAI): Results of a 1-year mirror-image study.

Background: We sought to determine clinical outcomes of the prescribing of haloperidol decanoate long-acting injection (HDLAI) at 1 year.

Method: A 1-year mirror-image study of 84 inpatients initiated on HDLAI. Admissions and bed days in the year preceding HDLAI were compared with the year after initiation.

A prospective year-long follow-up of lurasidone use in clinical practice: factors predicting treatment persistence.

Background: Our aim was to follow up patients prescribed lurasidone over 1 year to determine factors predicting treatment persistence.

Methods: We used noninterventional, observational, prospective follow up of patients consecutively prescribed lurasidone in a large inner-city NHS mental health trust. We also performed retrospective analysis of outcomes from patient case notes.

Reducing the rates of prescribing high-dose antipsychotics and polypharmacy on psychiatric inpatient and intensive care units: results of a 6-year quality improvement programme.

Background: There is no conclusive evidence that either high doses or combinations of antipsychotics are more effective than standard doses or monotherapy alone. Nonetheless, prescription of both remains prevalent in the UK. In 2006 the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLAM) participated in a national survey of prescription of antipsychotic medications, organized by the Prescribing Observatory for Mental Health.

Aripiprazole: dose-response relationship in schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.

Aripiprazole is an atypical antipsychotic that has been shown to be more effective than placebo and at least as effective as haloperidol and risperidone in the treatment of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Despite having a well defined licensed dose range, the optimum dose for aripiprazole is yet to be established. Aripiprazole exhibits high affinity for dopamine D(2) receptors, with near maximal receptor occupancy at a dose of 30 mg.

A prescription survey of antipsychotic use in England and Wales following the introduction of NICE guidance.

Objective : In the United Kingdom (UK) the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has recommended the use of atypical antipsychotics for the treatment of schizophrenia. As part of its guidance it discourages the concurrent use of typical and atypical antipsychotics. In previous prescribing surveys antipsychotic polypharmacy has been noted to be widespread.

Early clinical experience with risperidone long-acting injection: a prospective, 6-month follow-up of 100 patients.

Background: The use of risperidone long-acting injection (RLAI) is reasonably well supported by controlled studies. Little is known about treatment outcomes in patients receiving RLAI in clinical practice.

Method: All prescribers in the South London and Maudsley Trust, London, United Kingdom, were informed that RLAI could be ordered for suitable patients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizo-affective disorder: those known to be noncompliant with oral atypical antipsychotics and those intolerant of the adverse effects of conventional depot antipsychotics.