Pharmacologic treatment of first-episode schizophrenia: a review of the literature.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To review the evidence base for the efficacy and tolerability of antipsychotic medication for the treatment of the first episode of schizophrenia. DATA SOURCE: MEDLINE databases were searched for published articles in English over the last 25 years, from January 1986 to January 2011, on choice of antipsychotic treatment for the first episode of schizophrenia, with an emphasis on efficacy and tolerability of antipsychotic drugs in the acute phase of psychotic illness. STUDY SELECTION: The keywords antipsychotic drugs and schizophrenia were used in combination with drug treatment, pharmacologic treatment, efficacy, and tolerability in addition to atypical antipsychotics, first-gener..