Patel et al evaluated patients with Alzheimer's disease who were given resperidone for psychotic symptoms or agitation. A number of risk factors identify a patient at risk for relapse after the medication is stopped. The authors are from multiple institutions and VA medical centers in the United States.
Patient selection: Alzheimer's disease with psychotic symptoms or agitation
Antipsychotic medication: resperidone
The government requires antipsychotic treatment to be discontinued after a few months of therapy due to concern about toxicity.
Risk factors for relapse after discontinuation of therapy:
(1) severe hallucinations
(2) auditory hallucinations
After 3-4 months after medication was stopped almost 80% of patients with severe hallucinations relapsed.
After 3-4 months after medication was stopped almost 30% of patients with no or mild/moderate hallucinations relapsed. About the same percentage relapsed if resperidone continued.
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