The Partial Responder to Antipsychotic Medications: Putting the Pieces together

Abstract

Published data regarding the efficacy of novel antipsychotic agents yield information about responders and nonresponders. However, the literature offers clinicians little guidance about the patient hidden above the efficacy curve, the patient with an incomplete response. In this article the issue ofpartial response is considered. Four strategies to use with patients who continue to have psychotic symptoms or symptoms of comorbid illnesses are described. nonpharmacologic interventions, changing the dose, changing the agent, and combination therapy. Anecdotal case reports illustrate the challenge of treating patients with a partial response.