How long should people with schizophrenia taking antipsychotic?
Antipsychotic medications reduce the frequency and severity of future psychotic episodes in patients who have recovered from an episode. In the course of treatment, some people who have recovered have relapses. Higher relapse rates are seen when the drug is stopped. The treatment of severe psychotic symptoms, higher than the doses used for maintenance treatment. When symptoms return to a lower dose can prevent complete relapse a temporary increase of the dose.
It is important that people with schizophrenia observed working with their doctors and family members to their treatment plan. Adherence refers to the extent to which patients follow the treatment plans recommended by their doctors. Good adhesion comprises the prescribed medication in the correct dose and frequency of every day, with all the appointments and carefully following other treatment procedures. Compliance is often difficult for people with schizophrenia, but it can be easier with the help of several strategies and lead to a better quality of life.
There are a variety of reasons why people with schizophrenia may not adhere to treatment. Patients can not believe you are sick and can negate the need for medication, or such a thought disorder that they do not remember to take their daily dose. Family members or friends may not understand schizophrenia and may inappropriately advise the person with schizophrenia to stop treatment when he or she feels better.
Doctors who can play an important role in helping their patients adhere to treatment, to neglect patients how often they take their medication, ask or reluctant to respond to the request of the patient to be to change the dose, or try a new treatment you. Some patients report that side effects of the medications seem worse than the disease itself. Furthermore, drug abuse influence the effectiveness of treatment, which patients adjust to drugs.
When a complex treatment plan to one of these factors can be added good adhesion even more difficult.
There are many strategies that patients, physicians and families can use to improve adherence and prevent worsening of the disease.
Several antipsychotic drugs are available in long-acting injectable forms, to eliminate the need pills every day. An important goal of current research on treatments for schizophrenia is the development of a wider range of long-acting antipsychotics, especially new drugs with less severe side effects, which can be administered by injection.
Medications calendar or pill boxes labeled with the days of the week, can help patients and caregivers know when medications have or have not taken. The use of electronic timer sounds when to take medication, or take medication pairing with daily routine events - including meals - can help patients remember and adhere to your schedule.
Family members are taken in their observation oral medication of patients involved may contribute to the adherence to guidelines. In addition, through a variety of other methods of monitoring compliance, doctors can determine when the pill is a problem for their patients and to work with them to ensure compliance easier. It is important to express concerns about taking medication with your doctor.
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