High-dose antipsychotics like quetiapine, clozapine, and olanzapine are linked to an increased risk of pneumonia in patients with schizophrenia. A study with 61,889 patients revealed that high-dose quetiapine posed the highest risk, followed by clozapine and olanzapine. Antipsychotic monotherapy and those with high anticholinergic burden were also associated with higher pneumonia risk compared to no antipsychotic use. Identifying antipsychotic drugs linked to pneumonia risk could aid in prevention strategies like vaccinations, and provide personalized prescribing guidelines. However, the study had limitations, including the inability to account for all risk factors and only analyzing severe cases of pneumonia requiring hospitalization.
(Source: JAMA Psychiatry)
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