What are the best medications for schizophrenia?

Updated May 16, 2014.

How long should people with schizophrenia under antipsychotic?

Antipsychotic medications reduce the frequency and intensity of future psychotic episodes in patients who have recovered from an episode. Have recovered even with continued treatment, some people who suffer relapses. Higher relapse rates are seen when medication is stopped. Can treatment of severe psychotic symptoms, the higher doses used for maintenance therapy require. If the symptoms again at a lower dosage may prevent relapse to a temporary increase in the dose.

It is important that people with schizophrenia work with their doctors and families to comply with their treatment plan. Adherence refers to the extent to which patients follow the treatment plans recommended by their doctors. Good adhesion with the takeover prescribed dose of medication and the right every day, often keep all appointments and care for other treatment methods. Adherence to treatment is often difficult for people with schizophrenia, but it is easier with the help of various strategies and lead to a better quality of life.

There are a variety of reasons why patients with schizophrenia may not adhere to treatment. Patients can not believe that they 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.

Physicians can play an important role in helping their patients adhere to treatment neglect to ask patients how often they take their medications, or are reluctant to respond to the request of a patient to change the dose, or try a new treatment. Some patients report that side effects of the medications seem worse than the disease itself. In addition, drug abuse can affect 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 harder.

There are many strategies that patients, doctors and families can use to improve compliance and to prevent a worsening of the disease.

Some antipsychotic medications are available in long-acting injectable forms that eliminate the need to take pills every day. An important goal of current research on treatments for schizophrenia is to develop 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. Using electronic timer, when medications should be taken beep, or the combination of medication with routine daily events - such as food - can help patients remember and adhere to the schedule.

Engage family members in observing oral medication can help patients, adherence to. In addition, through a variety of other methods of compliance monitoring can determine if the pill is a problem for the patient and can work with them to facilitate compliance with the doctor. It is important to express concerns about your medicines with your doctor.