Authors
René S Kahn, W Wolfgang Fleischhacker, Han Boter, Michael Davidson, Yvonne Vergouwe, Ireneus PM Keet, Mihai D Gheorghe, Janusz K Rybakowski, Silvana Galderisi, Jan Libiger, Martina Hummer, Sonia Dollfus, Juan J López-Ibor, Luchezar G Hranov, Wolfgang Gaebel, Joseph Peuskens, Nils Lindefors, Anita Riecher-Rössler, Diederick E Grobbee
Publication date
2008/3/29
Journal
The lancet
Volume
371
Issue
9618
Pages
1085-1097
Publisher
Elsevier
Description
Background
Second-generation antipsychotic drugs were introduced over a decade ago for the treatment of schizophrenia; however, their purported clinical effectiveness compared with first-generation antipsychotic drugs is still debated. We aimed to compare the effectiveness of second-generation antipsychotic drugs with that of a low dose of haloperidol, in first-episode schizophrenia.
Methods
We did an open randomised controlled trial of haloperidol versus second-generation antipsychotic drugs in 50 sites, in 14 countries. Eligible patients were aged 18–40 years, and met diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, or schizoaffective disorder. 498 patients were randomly assigned by a web-based online system to haloperidol (1–4 mg per day; n=103), amisulpride (200–800 mg per day; n=104), olanzapine (5–20 mg per day; n=105), quetiapine (200–750 mg per day; n=104), or ziprasidone (40 …
Total citations
Scholar articles
RS Kahn, WW Fleischhacker, H Boter, M Davidson… - The lancet, 2008
authorshipindicated No - African Journal of Psychiatry, 2009