In this short video clip, Dr. Peter Buckley talks specifically about the new antipsychotic Latuda (lurasidone), as well as the use of mood stabilizers as adjunctive therapy in schizophrenia.
A brief recap of his comments:
Latuda has been shown to be an effective antipsychotic agent. It appears to be effective in preventing relapse and in long-term therapy. It is important to dose at appropriate levels.
It is not always necessary to give a mood stabilizer as an adjunctive therapy.
• A good proportion of patient take an antipsychotic plus other medications to manage mood problems, depression, or sleep disorders.
• People with schizophrenia may have highs and lows, indicative of schizoaffective disorder; a mood stabilizer may help control common features of the illness.
• In general, go about approaching treatment with the simplest regimen possible. Start with a single drug and get the best out of it before adding another drug or before switching to a different agent.
