The Pharmacologic Treatment of the Early Phase of First-Episode Psychosis in Youths

Abstract

Objectives: To summarize available knowledge about pharmacologic treatments that are used for first-onset (or early) psychosis in youths, with particular consideration of the prodromal stage and the effectiveness and safety of novel antipsychotic drugs and mood stabilizers. Method: A computerized search of medical databases (for example, Medline and Embase), a manual searching of articles and textbooks, and the use of vignettes to highlight treatment issues. Results: There are limited data about the effectiveness and safety of psychotropic agents for youths with psychosis and scarce information about the drug treatment of the prodromal stage of early psychosis in all age groups. The available data are encouraging, although the newer agents are not without safety concerns. Conclusions: Despite the paucity of studies, there is a range of psychotropics that may be used in the early stages of psychotic illness in youths. Drug choice is influenced by several factors, including the clinical picture, side effect profile, and patient preference. In certain situations, the decision may be not to use medication.