A selected review of the literature and an empirical analysis of drug treatment compliance by schizophrenic patients

One of the significant issues in the treatment of schizophrenic patients is their nonadherence to medication. While maintenance without medication may be possible for a minority of this group (Gardos and Cole, 1976; Cheung, 1981), most authorities believe that drug therapy should be continued indefinitely, particularly in view of the substantial risk of relapse when medication is discontinued (Prien and Klett, 1972). Davis (1975) reported that the evidence for the efficacy of neuroleptics in preventing relapse was substantial.