Cited by 324Schizophrenia research and treatmentMental Health and PsychiatryPsychiatric care and mental health services

What is the risk‐benefit ratio of long‐term antipsychotic treatment in people with schizophrenia?

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Correll, Christoph U., Rubio, Jose M., Kane, John M.·2018·World Psychiatry

Abstract

The long‐term benefit‐to‐risk ratio of sustained antipsychotic treatment for schizophrenia has recently been questioned. In this paper, we critically examine the literature on the long‐term efficacy and effectiveness of this treatment. We also review the evidence on the undesired effects, the impact on physical morbidity and mortality, as well as the neurobiological correlates of chronic exposure to antipsychotics. Finally, we summarize factors that affect the risk‐benefit ratio. There is consistent evidence supporting the efficacy of antipsychotics in the short term and mid term following stabilization of acute psychotic symptoms. There is insufficient evidence supporting the notion that this effect changes in the long term. Most, but not all, of the long‐term cohort studies find a decrease in efficacy during chronic treatment with antipsychotics. However, these results are inconclusive, given the extensive risk of bias, including increasing non‐adherence. On the other hand, long‐term studies based on national registries, which have lower risk of bias, find an advantage in terms of effectiveness during sustained antipsychotic treatment. Sustained antipsychotic treatment has been also consistently associated with lower mortality in people with schizophrenia compared to no antipsychotic treatment. Nevertheless, chronic antipsychotic use is associated with metabolic disturbance and tardive dyskinesia. The latter is the clearest undesired clinical consequence of brain functioning as a potential result of chronic antipsychotic exposure, likely from dopaminergic hypersensitivity, without otherwise clear evidence of other irreversible neurobiological changes. Adjunctive psychosocial interventions seem critical for achieving recovery. However, overall, the current literature does not support the safe reduction of antipsychotic dosages by 50% or more in stabilized individuals receiving adjunctive psychosocial interventions. In conclusion, the critical appraisal of the literature indicates that, although chronic antipsychotic use can be associated with undesirable neurologic and metabolic side effects, the evidence supporting its long‐term efficacy and effectiveness, including impact on life expectancy, outweighs the evidence against this practice, overall indicating a favorable benefit‐to‐risk ratio. However, the finding that a minority of individuals diagnosed initially with schizophrenia appear to be relapse free for long periods, despite absence of sustained antipsychotic treatment, calls for further research on patient‐level predictors of positive outcomes in people with an initial psychotic presentation.

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Authors
Correll, C. U., Rubio, J. M., & Kane, J. M.
Affiliations
  • Northwell Health (US)
  • Zucker Hillside Hospital, Psychiatry Research, Northwell Health Glen Oaks NY USA
Venue
World Psychiatry
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2018-05-24
Volume
17
Issue
2
Pages
149-160
ISSN
  • 1723-8617 (ISSN-L)
  • 2051-5545
OpenAlex
W2806469814
Cited by
324
References
157
Citations by year
2026: 30 · 2025: 36 · 2024: 46 · 2023: 42 · 2022: 49 · 2021: 37 · 2020: 31 · 2019: 36 · 2018: 17
FWCI
23.81
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • World Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Schizophrenia research and treatment
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Philosophy › Mental Health and Psychiatry
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychiatric care and mental health services
Keywords
schizophrenia, long-term antipsychotic treatment, risk-benefit ratio, antipsychotic efficacy, antipsychotic adverse effects, tardive dyskinesia, metabolic disorders, mortality, medication adherence, psychosocial interventions, relapse, life expectancy

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