Quality prescribing in early psychosis: key pharmacotherapy principles.
- Resource Type
- Academic Journal
- Authors
- Scott JG; QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia.; Metro North Mental Health Service, Herston, QLD, Australia.; Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, The Park Centre for Mental Health, Wacol, QLD, Australia.; McKeon G; QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia.; Metro North Mental Health Service, Herston, QLD, Australia.; Malacova E; QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia.; Curtis J; School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia.; The Bondi Centre, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia.; Burgher B; QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia.; Metro North Mental Health Service, Herston, QLD, Australia.; Macmillan I; Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.; Headspace Early Psychosis, Frankston, VIC, Australia.; Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.; Thompson A; Orygen, Youth Early Psychosis, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.; Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.; Parker SD; Metro North Mental Health Service, Herston, QLD, Australia.
- Source
- Publisher: Sage Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 9613603 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1440-1665 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 10398562 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Australas Psychiatry Subsets: MEDLINE
- Subject
- Language
- English
Objective: To present a practical, easy-to-implement clinical framework designed to support evidence-based quality prescribing for people with early psychosis.
Method: Identification and explanation of key principles relating to evidence-based pharmacotherapy for people with early psychosis. These were derived from the literature, practice guidelines and clinical experience.
Results: Key principles include (1) medication choice informed by adverse effects; (2) metabolic monitoring at baseline and at regular intervals; (3) comprehensive and regular medication risk-benefit assessment and psychoeducation; (4) early consideration of long-acting injectable formulations (preferably driven by informed patient choice); (5) identification and treatment of comorbid mood disorders and (6) early consideration of clozapine when treatment refractory criteria are met.
Conclusions: Current prescribing practices do not align with the well-established evidence for quality pharmacotherapy in early psychosis. Adopting evidence-based prescribing practices for people with early psychosis will improve outcomes.