Which medication is used as adjunct to mood stabilizers/antidepressants for schizoaffective disorder?

Which medication is used as adjunct to mood stabilizers/antidepressants for schizoaffective disorder?

• A. Clozapine
• B. Lurasidone
• C. Quetiapine
• D. Paliperidone

Answer: (D)

In schizoaffective disorder, treatment often needs to target both mood symptoms and psychotic symptoms. When mood stabilizers or antidepressants are used to manage mood features, adding an antipsychotic helps control persistent psychosis. Paliperidone is an atypical antipsychotic effective for psychotic symptoms and is well-supported as augmentation to mood stabilizers or antidepressants in schizoaffective disorder. It offers convenient dosing options, including once-daily oral use and long-acting injectable forms, which can improve adherence in ongoing management. While other antipsychotics can be used in this context, paliperidone has particular evidence and practical advantages for augmentation in schizoaffective disorder.

In schizoaffective disorder, treatment often needs to target both mood symptoms and psychotic symptoms. When mood stabilizers or antidepressants are used to manage mood features, adding an antipsychotic helps control persistent psychosis. Paliperidone is an atypical antipsychotic effective for psychotic symptoms and is well-supported as augmentation to mood stabilizers or antidepressants in schizoaffective disorder. It offers convenient dosing options, including once-daily oral use and long-acting injectable forms, which can improve adherence in ongoing management. While other antipsychotics can be used in this context, paliperidone has particular evidence and practical advantages for augmentation in schizoaffective disorder.