A 23 year old boy with schizophrenia is well maintained on risperidone for the last 2 months. He has no family history of the disease. For how long will you continue treatment in this patient?
High-Yield Explanation
The history is suggesting that the patient had first episode of schizophrenia and is now maintaining well for last two months It is generally recommended that after first episode, the treatment with antipsychotics should be continued for at least two years. If there are more than one episodes the treatment should continue for at least 5 years. In patients with multiple relapses, indefinite treatment is given.