Effectiveness of antipsychotics in first-episode schizophrenia and schizophreniform disorder on response and remission: An open randomized clinical trial (EUFEST)
Abstract
We compared the effectiveness of low doses of haloperidol and regular doses of second generation antipsychotics (SGAs) on >/=50% response measured with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale.and remission. In an open randomized clinical trial 498 unselected first-episode patients with schizophrenia were assigned to haloperidol, amisulpride, olanzapine, quetiapine, or ziprasidone.
Within 12 months, the proportions of patients with >/=50% response were 37% for haloperidol, 67% for amisulpride, 67% for olanzapine, 46% for quetiapine, and 56% for ziprasidone. Within 12 months, the proportion of patients in remission was also the lowest in those treated with haloperidol , if compared to the patients treated with second generation antipsychotics.