In the treatment of chronic schizophrenia, there are risks associated with both neuroleptic maintenance (eg, tardive dyskinesia) and neuroleptic withdrawal (eg, psychotic exacerbation or relapse). We reviewed 66 studies on neuroleptic withdrawal involving 4365 patients with schizophrenia. The mean cumulative relapse rate was 53% in patients withdrawn from neuroleptic therapy and 16% in those maintained on neuroleptic therapy over a mean follow-up period of 9.7 months. The relapse rate was positively associated with length of follow-up. Predictors of relapse reported in individual studies included younger age, higher baseline neuroleptic dosage, and shorter length of hospitalization. Adverse effects of neuroleptic withdrawal other than relapse were usually mild and transient. The risk-benefit ratio of neuroleptic maintenance vs withdrawal should be assessed carefully in individual patients. A slow taper to the lowest effective dosage may be the preferred strategy in many patients.From the

There is a death of literature on the effects of neuroleptics in older schizophrenia patients. In this article, we review the available literature and present findings from our own studies. Neuroleptics are effective in the treatment of late-life schizophrenia, although older patients generally need lower dosages than younger subjects. Neuroleptics, however, carry a relatively high risk of side effects such as tardive dyskinesia (TD) in middle-aged and elderly patients. By the end of 1 year of a prospective longitudinal study of neuroleptic treatment, we found a 26 percent cumulative incidence of TD among schizophrenia patients over age 45. If neuroleptics are withdrawn, there is a significant risk of a schizophrenic relapse; however, that risk is no greater in older patients than in younger ones. We offer clinical recommendations for the use of neuroleptics in the treatment of late-life schizophrenia.

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In the pharmaceutical care model, the pharmacist is involved in several important roles in the provision of neuroleptic therapy. In the ambulatory care program, psychopharmacists provide important drug-related information to patients and consultation regarding potential neuroleptic-induced adverse effects. In addition, psychopharmacists serve as consultants to other clinicians concerning the risks associated with the use of neuroleptics and participate in neuroleptic-discontinuation clinics. Morbidity associated with neuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesia has exposed healthcare providers to legal repercussions; therefore, pharmacy intervention may aid in the reduction of legal liability.

Shortly after being weaned off the respirator, 43 infants with severe chronic bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) were transferred from an intensive-care nursery at a teaching hospital to an affiliated children's rehabilitation hospital in a program that included special staff instruction. Morbidity, measured by rate of transfer back to the acute-care hospital, was lower than in a comparison group of 15 infants treated for severe BPD during the previous two years. Average length of stay was significantly shortened and an average of $60,000 per patient was saved. Using a rehabilitation hospital as a step-down unit shifts the emphasis from acute needs to chronic and developmental needs and from intensive monitoring and nursing care to care given at home by parents with nursing assistance.

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