While many patients with schizophrenia benefit from initial antipsychotic therapy, some do not show an adequate response and are termed treatment resistant.
Criteria for treatment-resistant schizophrenia:
(1) The diagnosis is confirmed.
(2) The patient continues to show significant ongoing positive symptoms (inadequate therapeutic response).
(3) The patient has been treated with at least 2 different antipsychotics, one of which is a second generation antipsychotic agent (see below),
(4) The drugs have been given with an adequate dose and for a sufficient duration.
(5) The patient has been adherent in taking medications.
(6) Resistance is not explained by concurrent illness, other medication or substance abuse.
Second generation antipsychotics include:
(1) olanzapine
(2) quetiapine
(3) risperidone
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