[Switching to quetiapine fumarate monotherapy for treatment-resistant schizophrenia: a report of five cases].

We assessed the efficacy and tolerance of switching to monotherapy with quetiapine fumarate (QF) in treatmentresistant schizophrenia with other antipsychotics, including atypical ones. QF treatment was maintained for 8 weeks. The PANSS scores improved at least 40% over this period. QF was well tolerated without the presence of serious adverse effects. Switching to QF in these patients may therefore be considered as optimal in response and tolerance. Key words: Schizophrenia, Treatment-resistant, Antipsychotics, Quetiapine fumarate.