Under naturalistic conditions the influence of monotherapy versus combined therapy on the outcome of psychoeducation was to be investigated. As amisulpride has a very positive receptor profile and causes no sedation, it was of interest to which degree amisulpride has a positive influence on knowledge gain in comparison to other atypicals.

In-patients with schizophrenia (ICD -10: F2) under therapy with atypicals. 8 psychoeducational group sessions; indication for groups independent of psychopathology, insight and compliance. Medication with atypicals non restricted.

94 patients (47% female, 35 years), 40 % (38 of 94) were treated at discharge with a monotherapy and 60 % with a combination of atypicals. PANSS monotherapy at admission: 74; at discharge: 49. Patients with combination therapy had significantly higher values: 92 at admission and 66 at discharge (p<0.001). Knowledge-gain was comparable; monotherapy group: Mean= 6,0 (SD 6,5); combination therapy: Mean=6,9 (SD 12,4) (n.s.). 23 % (22 of 94) got amisulpride (5 in monotherapy and 17 in combination). Concerning safety profile and therapeutic effectiveness the non-inferior hypothesis could be confirmed. Patients with monotherapy of amisulpride at discharge had a mean knowledge gain of 10.7; that was higher than the mean knowledge gain of 6.5 of all patients (n.s.).

Monotherapy with atypicals was only possible among 40 %. Psychoeducation is efficient for severely ill patients with combined therapy as well. Amisulpride monotherapy showed a knowledge-gain higher than the average atypicals. For patients with high expectations concerning rehabilitation, a monotherapy with amisulpride seems to be useful.