Medication is a key element in the treatment of schizophrenia. Coupled with medical care services and counseling, schizophrenia medication helps many sufferers of this disorder to lead near-normal daily lives.
Schizophrenia medication usually takes the form of antipsychotic medication. These are typically prescribed for the treatment of positive symptoms of schizophrenia which are typically delusions or hallucinations. The antipsychotic medication helps to reduce such symptoms. They are not however quick working medicines as they require 7 to 14 days to take effect.
There are generally two classes of antipsychotic medicines – the so-called typical antipsychotic drugs and the atypical antipsychotics. The typical antipsychotic drugs are older, having been developed in the 1950s. Tranquilizers fall under this category.
Typical antipsychotics are mainly used to deal with psychosis and also schizophrenia symptoms like agitation, acute mania and other symptoms. They are slowly being replaced by the atypical antipsychosis drugs.
The newer atypical antipsychotic medicines are more expensive than the typical antipsychotics, but are preferred in initial treatment. This is because patients are better able to tolerate them. Also, they tend to result in less tardive dyskinesia (a side effect that results in involuntary movement). The downside to atypical antipsychotic medicine is that some weight gain will occur. In extreme cases, obesity-related illnesses may occur.
In general, most health professionals are satisfied that the two classes of schizophrenia medication are equally effective for the treatment of positive symptoms. Some believe that the atypical antipsychotic drugs are additionally beneficial when treating negative symptoms and disorganized thinking deficits. This has not as yet been proven conclusively.
As is often the case when dealing with mental health medication, the response of patients to these two classes of schizophrenia medication tends to vary. In cases where symptoms do not appear to respond satisfactorily, select patients may be prescribed clozapine.
This is considered a more superior medicine and appears to even lower the desire among patients for street drug or substance abuse. However, clozapine can have some lethal side effects, the more common ones being agranulocytosis (reduction in number of white blood cells) and myocarditis (inflammation of the muscular part of the human heart).
In the case of patients who are unwilling or are unable to take schizophrenia medication on a regular basis, doctors can prescribe depot preparations of antipsychotic drugs which are long acting and need only be taken every fortnight. Do note that in the US and Australia, laws exist which obliges patients to take this type of medication if they are no longer being treated in a medical facility and have gone back to their communities.
Having said all this, some findings show that, long term, some patients may even be better off not taking any schizophrenia medication. Further research is going on with this respect. In any case, with advances in medicine, sufferers can look to better relief and treatment in years to come.
Important Fact #1: Possible Signs Of Schizophrenia
Look out for any of the following signs of schizophrenia -- paranoia, delusions, inactivity or hyperactivity, unusual/strange or lack of emotional responses, over or under sensitivity, self-imposed social isolation, hostility, lack of interest in proper personal hygiene and extreme depression. |
Important Fact #2: Mention Of Suicide
Patients with schizophrenia are more likely to try taking their lives. At all times, take any mention of suicide by them seriously and seek medical assistance. |
Important Fact #3: Curing Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia cannot be completely cured. However medical experts will tell you that 90% of people with the disorder can look forward to recovering to a degree that will enable them to function and lead happy lives. |
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