Welcome to the EPA 2022 Interactive Programme 

Organised by the EPA Section on Psychopharmacology. This interactive, evidence-based course has been designed for early carrier psychiatrists, however other colleagues - especially those, who teach/supervise residents - also may benefit from the structured teaching material. The content of the course is primarily built on landmark studies and the data which will be discussed includes real world evidence as well. The participants should be able after completing the course to individually plan antipsychotic treatment for patients with schizophrenia and with some other psychotic disorders. The course will have a clinical focus and includes the following topics: • Short and long term treatment of schizophrenia with antipsychotics • Dose response relationship of antipsychotic drugs: How to define the right dose? Is there a therapeutic window? How do patients benefit from the use of therapeutic (plasma level) drug monitoring? • How to choose from different formulations of antipsychotics, e.g. different tablet forms, solution, rapid acting and long acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics? • Comparative effectiveness of antipsychotics • Pharmacological treatment of negative symptoms in schizophrenia • The role of antipsychotics and other drugs in the management of agitation, suicidal and violent behavior in schizophrenia • Partial response, non - response and treatment resistance: Antipsychotic monotherapy vs. polypharmacy and the role of clozapine treatment • Possible treatment strategies to avoid antipsychotic polypharmacy • Length of antipsychotic treatment in schizophrenia; how to discontinue antipsychotic treatment; risks of antipsychotic withdrawal • Antipsychotic treatment in the elderly: schizophrenia and psychosis related to dementia • Management of the most frequent side effects and drug-drug interactions during treatment with antipsychotics