The case for including antipsychotics in the UK NICE guideline: "Medicines associated with dependence or withdrawal symptoms: safe prescribing and withdrawal management for adults". Issue 1 (2nd January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cooper, R. E.; Grünwald, L. M.; Horowitz, M.
• Is Part Of: Psychosis. Volume 12:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: 89
• Page End: 93
• Publication Date: 2020-01-02
• Subjects: NICE guidelines -- antipsychotics -- withdrawal symptoms; Psychoses -- Periodicals; Psychotic Disorders -- therapy; Psychotic Disorders -- etiology; Psychoses; Periodicals; Periodicals; 616.89005
• DOI: 10.1080/17522439.2020.1722734
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1752-2447

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is in the process of writing guidelines for "Medicines Associated with Dependence or Withdrawal Symptoms: Safe Prescribing and Withdrawal Management for Adults". NICE has excluded antipsychotics, despite inclusion having been requested by all four groups participating in the guideline scoping workshop, as well as the Royal College of Psychiatrists, the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Prescribed Drug Dependence, the International Institute for Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal (IIPDW), Bangor University, Grünenthal Ltd, Pfizer and Mind (the UK's largest mental health non-profit organisation). The IIPDW subsequently submitted the following request, drafted on their behalf by three researchers with expertise in this field, that NICE review its decision to exclude antipsychotics. The request draws on the recently updated German National Guideline for Schizophrenia. Two additional studies published since the submission, adding weight to the case, are also summarised.