SECOND GENERATION ANTIPSYCHOTICS IN ACUTE AND LONG-TERM TREATMENT OF SCHIZOPHRENIA: A CRITICAL REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC DATA

Abstract

Second generation antipsychotics (SGA) expended our abilities in treatment of schizophrenia and reduced risk of extrapyramidal side effects. But early understanding of SGAs' total superiority above first generation antipsychotics (FGA) were not confirmed. Nowadays we have strong evidences of some differences between antipsychotics, but most of them are gradual rather than discrete. Differences in side-effects are more marked. Paliperidone palmitate is long-acting intramuscular SGA. It was found more effective than oral FGA and SGA in reduction of productive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia, quality of remission and social functioning. One-month paliperidone palmitate (xeplion) could be prescribed in acute-phase therapy. Three-month paliperidone palmitate (trevicta) discovered new unique options for long-term treatment.