Limitations of current therapies: why do patients switch therapies?

The results of recent studies, including the Clinical Antipsychotic Trials of Intervention Effectiveness (CATIE) study, the Cost Utility of the Latest Antipsychotic Drugs in Schizophrenia Study (CUtLASS), the European Schizophrenia Outpatient Health Outcome (SOHO), and the Spanish EFESO study have given some insight into why, in the course of real-world treatment, patients with schizophrenia discontinue or ask to be switched to other medications. Disappointingly, these studies consistently demonstrate that there is not one answer for these patients. The data from these studies indicate that an individual approach to treatment is required, and by doing this the need to adjust medications in advance of problems may be addressed. A combination of knowledge of the potential impact of each antipsychotic, typical or newer, alongside a more informed view of quality of life needs for these patients, might be useful to maximise treatment compliance of the currently available treatment options - with the potential for a not inconsiderable impact on efficacy in schizophrenia.