What is the effect of maintenance treatment with antipsychotica for people with schizophrenia?
Systematic review
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Key message
Plain language summary from the included Cochrane systematic review:
“Maintenance treatment with antipsychotic drugs for schizophrenia
Antipsychotic drugs are the mainstay of treatment of schizophrenia. The current report presents the first systematic review comparing the effects of all antipsychotic drugs compared to placebo for maintenance treatment, that is relapse prevention after the acute phase. Randomised controlled trials since the 1950s have consistently shown that antipsychotic drugs effectively reduce relapses and need for hospitalisation. Conversly, they are, as a group, associated with a number of side effects such as movement disorders, weight gain and sedation.”