The authors report on the outcome of treatment of 116 outpatients with
chronic schizophrenia who were assigned to a 2-year, single-blind course of
treatment with either targeted or continuous medication. These patients
were not restricted to those who were good candidates for a medication
reduction strategy. Continuous medication was superior to targeted
medication in preventing decompensations and hospitalizations and in extent
of employment at 2 years. Other measures of psychopathology and functioning
at 1 and 2 years did not differentiate the two groups of patients. The
targeted approach achieved a substantial reduction in total medication
through a reduction in the number of days of medication administration.Abstract Teaser