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Continuous vs. Targeted Medication in Older Schizophrenic Outpatients

Department of Psychiatry (116A), Baltimore Veterans Administration, 10 N. Greenc Street, Baltimore, MD 21201.

The authors compared targeted as opposed to continuous neuroleptic medication for the treatment of older (over age 50) schizophrenic outpatients. Patients in the continuous medication group (n = 17) received maintenance neuroleptic medication throughout the 12-month study period. Those in the targeted group (n = 14) received medication only during periods of prodrome. Significantly fewer maintenance patients had at least one prodromal episode, and fewer experienced relapse, compared to the targeted medication group. No significant differences were found in the rate of hospitalization between the groups. Patients in the targeted group took, cumulatively, less medication. There were no significant differences between the two groups on measures of symptoms, side effectrs, or quality of life. A targeted medication approach was therefore judged inferior to maintenance medication for older schizophrenic out-patients.