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Expert Canadian consensus suggestions on the rational, clinical use of ziprasidone in the treatment of schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders

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Authors: Stan Kutcher, Sarah J Brooks, David M Gardner, Bill Honer, Lili Kopala, Alain Labelle, Pierre Lalonde, Ashok Malla, Heather Milliken, Jorge Soni, Richard Williams

Published Date February 2005 Volume 2005:1(2) Pages 89 - 108
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/NDT.S

Stan Kutcher1, Sarah J Brooks1, David M Gardner2, Bill Honer3, Lili Kopala3, Alain Labelle4, Pierre Lalonde5, Ashok Malla6, Heather Milliken1, Jorge Soni7, Richard Williams3

1Department of Psychiatry and 2College of Pharmacy, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada; 3Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; 4University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; 5Faculty of Medicine, University of Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada; 6McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada; 7Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

Abstract: Many atypical antipsychotic medications are becoming available for clinical use. Ziprasidone is a recent addition to this group and is expected to become available for clinical use in Canada in 2005. Ziprasidone has some significant differences compared with other atypicals currently available in Canada. Clinicians need to understand the benefits and risks associated with each of the antipsychotic medications available for the treatment of schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders to ensure their most appropriate utilization. At the suggestion of Professor Stan Kutcher (chair) and as part of an ongoing commitment to provide independent education pertaining to the utility of new psychotropic compounds to health professionals, a panel of Canadian experts in the treatment of schizophrenia spectrum disorders was convened to provide consensus suggestions for the appropriate clinical use of ziprasidone. The consultations regarding the development of these recommendations were organized by Brainworks International (BWI) with arms-length funding from Pfizer Canada. This paper describes the experts’ consensus views on the efficacy and safety of ziprasidone, their suggestions on which patients may be suitable for ziprasidone treatment, and how to initiate treatment (including how to switch from other antipsychotic medications), manage side effects, and monitor patients in long-term therapy. These suggestions are those of the authors only and are not endorsed by or necessarily reflect the opinions of BWI or Pfizer Canada.

Keywords: schizophrenia, treatment, ziprasidone, consensus, schizoaffective, atypical antipsychotic, psychosis








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