Medication and Schizophrenia
Medications for Schizophrenia
Medications are the cornerstone of schizophrenia treatment. However, because medications for schizophrenia can cause serious but rare side effects, people with schizophrenia may be reluctant to take them.
Antipsychotic medications are the most commonly prescribed drugs to treat schizophrenia. They're thought to control symptoms by affecting the brain neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin.
Willingness to cooperate with treatment may affect medication choice. Someone who is resistant to taking medication consistently may need to be given injections instead of taking a pill. Someone who is agitated may need to be calmed initially with a benzodiazepine such as lorazepam (Ativan), which may be combined with an antipsychotic.
Atypical antipsychotics
These newer, second-generation medications are generally preferred because they pose a lower risk of serious side effects than do conventional medications. They include:
· Aripiprazole (Abilify)
· Clozapine (Clozaril)
· Lurasidone (Latuda)
· Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
· Quetiapine (Seroquel)
· Risperidone (Risperdal)
· Ziprasidone (Geodon)
Ask your doctor about the benefits and side effects of any medication that's prescribed.
Conventional, or typical, antipsychotics
These first-generation medications have frequent and potentially significant neurological side effects, including the possibility of developing a movement disorder (tardive dyskinesia) that may or may not be reversible. This group of medications includes:
· Chlorpromazine
· Haloperidol (Haldol)
These antipsychotics are often cheaper than newer counterparts, especially the generic versions, which can be an important consideration when long-term treatment is necessary.
It can take several weeks after first starting a medication to notice an improvement in symptoms. In general, the goal of treatment with antipsychotic medications is to effectively control signs and symptoms at the lowest possible dosage. The psychiatrist may try different medications, different dosages or combinations over time to achieve the desired result. Other medications also may help, such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications.
