Efficacy and Tolerance of Antipsychotics Used for the Treatment of Patients Newly Diagnosed with Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

This systematic review compared the efficacy and tolerance of oral antipsychotics (APDs) used in the treatment of schizophrenia following the PRISMA-P© statement (n = 21). The primary outcomes of interest were clinical response measured with symptoms’ improvement, tolerance to side effects and discontinuation reasons. There was better individual patients’ response to aripiprazole vs. ziprasidone and quetiapine ((CDSS p = 0.04), BPRS p = 0.02, YMRS p = 0.001) and ziprasidone vs. quetiapine (CGI p = 0.02, CDSS p = 0.02). Aripiprazole was more tolerated than risperidone, ziprasidone and quetiapine (p p p p = 0.03) and haloperidol was more tolerated than olanzapine and quetiapine (p p < 0.05). It was concluded that individual patient clinical response, tolerance to side effects and life-threatening side effects remain the most reliable basis for selecting and continuing the use of APD.

Keywords

• antipsychotics
• antipsychotics discontinuation rate
• causes of relapse
• optimisation of schizophrenia management