Azapin

Treatment-resistant schizophrenia

Azapine should be prescribed only to patients with schizophrenia who are treatment-resistant or tolerant to standard neuroleptics as defined below.

Resistance to standard neuroleptics is a condition where previous sequential standard neuroleptics trials of sufficient dose, duration, and adherence has not resulted in adequate clinical improvement.

Intolerance to standard neuroleptics is a condition in which severe uncontrollable adverse neurological effects (extrapyramidal symptoms or tardive dyskinesia) occur that make effective neuroleptic therapy with standard neuroleptics impossible.

Risk of recurrence of suicidal attempts

Azapine is indicated for long-term reduction of the risk of recurrence of suicidal behaviour in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who are assessed for such risk based on their medical history and current clinical presentation.

Psychotic disorders during Parkinson’s disease therapy

Azapine is indicated for the treatment of psychotic disorders that develop during Parkinson’s disease, if standard therapy has been ineffective.

Failure of standard therapy is defined as lack of control of psychotic symptoms and/or a functionally unacceptable increase in motor symptoms after the following measures have been taken:

• discontinuation of anticholinergic medicines, including tricyclic antidepressants;
• attempt to reduce the dose of dopaminergic antiparkinsonian medicines.