Effects of New Antipsychotics and Adjunctive Therapy for Schizophrenia (Video: 4:05 minutes)
What effect has the new antipsychotic Latuda had in patients with psychosis? Is a mood stabilizer as an adjunctive therapy necessary for schizophrenia or is the use of an antipsychotic alone sufficient?
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.
