3. Duplicative Therapy

Combined therapy with multiple antipsychotic medications were evaluated in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Open studies, case reports, and clinical trials have observed favorable results following concurrent therapy with either atypical antipsychotics plus conventional antipsychotic agents or clozapine in conjunction with an additional atypical antipsychotic in clozapine-refractory patients. Further, controlled trials are necessary to identify patients and circumstances in which combination therapy should be utilized and the risks and benefits of concurrent therapy.

Neuroleptics should be used concomitantly during transitional periods lasting up to four weeks when switching patients to a different antipsychotic agent ^1-44.