EVALUATION OF TREATMENT-RESISTANT SCHIZOPHRENIA

A systematic approach to the evaluation and characterization of treatm ent resistance in schizophrenia has become increasingly important sinc e the introduction of clozapine, risperidone, and olanzapine. The need for accurate evaluation will increase with the introduction of the ne xt generation of antipsychotic medications. People with schizophrenia may manifest a poor response to therapy secondary to intolerance of me dication, poor compliance, or inappropriate dosing, as well as true re sistance of their illness to antipsychotic drug therapy. Clinicians fa cing the decision of when to change from one antipsychotic to another must clearly understand the appropriate length of a trial and what tar get symptoms respond to antipsychotics in order to maximize the respon se in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia.