Compliance

“Poor drug adherence is a major problem in the treatment of schizophrenia, as evidenced by, for example, the very disappointing data coming out from the large CATIE study, where almost 75% of the patients discontinued their original treatment within 1 year, and noncompliance is likely the leading cause of suicide in schizophrenia” (ref.1).

However, regular doctor-patient interaction can increase patient compliance, patient response to treatment and ultimate treatment outcomes. The frequent patient interaction facilitated by Serdolect's mandatory ECG monitoring can be a success factor in the treatment of the disease.

“A Cochrane review of the incidence of EPS (including akathisia), related events or use of medication to avoid EPS concluded that there was no statistically significant difference between sertindole (8, 12 or 20 mg) and placebo and significantly fewer incidences compared with haloperidol. After 6 weeks of treatment with either sertindole or haloperidol, and regardless of dose, the same number of patients remained in the study. After 1 year, more haloperidol participants had left the study, either because of noncompliance or any other reason, suggesting better compliance for sertindole compared with haloperidole participants” (ref.1).

Published: 07/02/2007   Last updated: 18/05/2010