Behavioural abnormalities and retention rates of anti- @entity302 drugs during long-term treatment of XXXX : a clinical perspective.

@entity1 @entity410 @entity5305 @entity2051 @entity2526 @entity302 @entity716
@entity5305 is among the most promising of the new anti- @entity302 drugs, but two unrelated complications have been noted in @entity1 receiving @entity5305 for chronic @entity302 . These are, transient behavioural @entity2526 of @entity1 continuing to take @entity5305 (decreasing retention rate) during long-term treatment. Psychotic reactions have been carefully documented both in @entity1 receiving standard and new anti- @entity302 drugs, and in up to 6% of @entity1 after @entity302 surgery. As many @entity716 are associated with a dramatic cessation of @entity410 (i.e. high efficacy of treatment), it is not surprising that behavioural abnormalities are more often seen in @entity1 receiving higher, more effective doses of @entity5305 , particularly those taking more than 3 g/day. A gradual dose increase and slow withdrawal is recommended for possible prevention of behavioural abnormalities, at least in some @entity1 . During treatment with standard anti- @entity302 drugs, approximately 50% of @entity1 remain on randomized treatment with the same drug for several years. For @entity2051 , a new drug, the figure is 60%, and for @entity5305 it is about 50%. Although comparative trials are not available, the retention rate for @entity5305 does not appear to be strikingly different to that reported for conventional anti- @entity302 drugs. In summary, behavioural abnormalities and falling retention rates appear to be general features of @entity302 , and are certainly not exclusively associated with the use of @entity5305 . Controlled trials are required to establish the specific contribution, if any, of @entity5305 in development of these complications of @entity302 .
