Physicians can safely reduce the dose of antipsychotics in patients with late-life schizophrenia, diminishing the potential adverse effects of these medications, researchers found.
In a single-center trial of 35 schizophrenia patients, 80% achieved dose reductions without signs of clinical deterioration, Ariel Graff-Guerrero, MD, PhD, of the Center for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, and colleagues reported online in JAMA Psychiatry.
Their findings also suggested a lower therapeutic window for dopamine receptor occupancy than seen in younger schizophrenia patients, they said. While those patients achieve optimal therapy around 65% occupancy, late-life patients may do better at 50% and up.
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From Medical Page Today