Which neuroleptic would psychiatrists take for themselves or their relatives?

Objective. - Psychiatrists should be asked which neuroleptic they would prefer for themselves and their relatives in the case of first manifestation of schizophrenia. Method. - Questionnaires were answered by 66 psychiatrists from 13 different sites in Baden-Wuerttemberg (South West Germany). Only those were included who had treated more than 50 patients with schizophrenia within the last 5 years (n = 54). Results. - The psychiatrists were experienced with conventional and most of the atypical agents. Fifty-one point nine percent would take olanzapine as first line treatment, 20.4% risperidone, 13.0% quetiapine. 9.3% amisulpride, 3.7% haloperidol and 1.9% perazine. In four cases, different substances were preferred for oneself and relatives. Conclusion. - Most psychiatrists would not take conventional neuroleptics, though 70% of prescriptions for schizophrenic patients have been conventional neuroleptics in Germany in 2000. The preferences among atypicals correspond well with the current prescription practice in Germany. (C) 2003 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.