The compliance study is one of the few to compare both atypical antipsychotics with each other as well as with typical antipsychotics in schizophrenia. The findings show SEROQUEL to have the highest compliance rate of both typicals and atypicals, which was significantly (P<0.05) greater than that of risperidone (6% greater) and olanzapine (4% greater). These are welcome results in a patient environment where up to 50% of patients fail to comply with their prescribed medication, leading to an increased risk of relapse. This can result in the need for rehospitalisation and potential for high socioeconomic costs.
"Compliance with medication is fundamental to a successful treatment outcome in schizophrenia. However, all too often patients have to struggle with medications that cause distressing side effects such as extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), increased prolactin levels leading to galactorroeha and sexual dysfunction, which makes complying with treatment a challenge many patients find too difficult to overcome" commented Dr Michael Riedel from the Munich University Hospital, Germany. "It is critical therefore that medications are not only effective in treating symptoms but are also well tolerated, which is where atypicals such as SEROQUEL are able to offer patients an improved outcome."
COGNITIVE FUNCTION
Two other studies presented at this year's APA meeting compared the cognitive benefits of SEROQUEL and risperidone in patien
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Contact: Sarah Fraser
sarah.fraser@newyork.shirehealth.com
1-212-329-6272
Shire Health International
23-May-2005