One Year Drug Treatment in First-Episode Schizophrenia

One Year Maintenance Treatment With Low Dose Haloperidol vs. Risperidone in First-Episode Schizophrenia

Prospective, randomized, double-blind, multi-center study on 1 year course and treatment outcome under low-dose typical (haloperidol) vs. atypical neuroleptics (risperidone) in first-episode schizophrenia.

The objective of this multi-center study is to optimize the long-term treatment of patients with first episode schizophrenia. This investigation should contribute to the issue of effective relapse prevention in first-episode patients. 1-year maintenance neuroleptic treatment is done with low dose haloperidol or risperidone (target dose 2-4 mg/die).

Inclusion Criteria:

• After the acute treatment of the first-episode in schizophrenia (according ICD-10 F20)
• Age between 18 and 55
• Informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Residence outside of the catchment area
• Legal reasons
• Insufficient knowledge of the German language
• Substance abuse or addiction
• Pregnancy
• Serious physical illness
• Organic brain disease
• Contraindication to neuroleptic treatment