An observational study of antipsychotic medication discontinuation in first-episode psychosis: clinical and functional outcomes.

Purpose: To study the impact of supervised antipsychotic medication discontinuation on clinical and functional outcomes in first-episode psychosis (FEP) in two different cultural environments. Method: FEP patients(N = 253), treated in two early intervention services (Montreal, Canada and Chennai, India) for 2 years, were assessed for medication use, positive and negative symptom remission and social–occupational functioning at regular intervals. Results: Between months 4 and 24 of treatment, 107 patients discontinued medication ('Off'group) as compared to 146 who stayed on medication ('On'group). Medication discontinuation was higher in Chennai as compared to Montreal (n = 80, 49.07% vs n = 27, 16.87%; χ2 37.80, p < 0.001), with no difference in time to discontinuation [Means(SDs) = 10.64(6.82) and 10.04(5.43), respectively, p = 0.71). At month 24 (N = 235), there were no differences in the rate of positive symptom remission between the on and Off groups (81.5 vs 88.0%, respectively) at both sites. The rate of negative symptom remission was lower among patients in the On compared to the Off group (63.2 vs 87.9%, respectively, χ2 = 17.91, p < 0.001), but only in Montreal (55.4% vs 80.0%, respectively, χ2 = 4.12, p < 0.05). Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale scores were equally high in both Off and On medication groups in Chennai [Means (SDs) = 79.43(12.95) and 73.59(17.63), respectively] but higher in the Off compared to the On group in Montreal Means (SDs) = 77.47(14.97) and 64.94(19.02), respectively; Time × site interaction F = 3.96(1,217), p < 0.05]. Medication status (On–Off) had no impact on the outcomes, independent of other variables known to influence outcomes. Conclusion: Certain cultural environments and patient characteristics may facilitate supervised discontinuation of antipsychotic medication following treatment of an FEP without negative consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]