Combination therapy in the treatment of schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND

Although the international guidelines for the treatment of schizophrenia recommend antipsychotic monotherapy as the treatment of choice, many schizophrenia patients receive two or more antipsychotics in clinical practice, while co-treatment with antidepressants, mood stabilizers and benzodiazepines is also common.

AIM: The aim of the present review is to summarize the results of the randomized controlled trials of combination therapy versus monotherapy in schizophrenia and to discuss possible implications of these results.

DISCUSSION: Altogether, recommendations are based upon theoretical assumptions rather than upon evidence-based knowledge regarding the combination of different antipsychotics or antipsychotics with other psychotropic agents in schizophrenia treatment, since the available studies reveal conflicting results. The augmentation with antidepressants for the treatment of persisting negative symptoms and with mood stabilizers in patients with additional affective symptoms seems to be a successful strategy.

CONCLUSIONS

Further randomized controlled trials are warranted to provide substantial evidence and to suggest combination strategies for treatment-resistant schizophrenia.