Antipsychotic polypharmacy, Part 1: Therapeutic option or dirty little secret?

J Clin Psychiatry. 1999 Jul;60(7):425-6. doi: 10.4088/jcp.v60n0701.

Abstract

Antipsychotic polypharmacy is a surprisingly frequent occurrence that can be both justified and unjustifed, depending on how it is used. To the extent that this phenomenon has been unrecognized and is not being studied, it is a "dirty little secret." To the extent that careful clinicians have uncovered a useful strategy for boosting the effectiveness of available antipsychotic monotherapies, it represents an opportunity to improve the outcomes of patients with psychotic illnesses.

MeSH terms

  • Antipsychotic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Clozapine / therapeutic use
  • Dibenzothiazepines / therapeutic use
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Humans
  • Olanzapine
  • Pirenzepine / analogs & derivatives
  • Pirenzepine / therapeutic use
  • Polypharmacy*
  • Psychotic Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Quetiapine Fumarate
  • Risperidone / therapeutic use
  • Schizophrenia / drug therapy

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Dibenzothiazepines
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Quetiapine Fumarate
  • Pirenzepine
  • Clozapine
  • Risperidone
  • Olanzapine