Medications for Schizophrenia
Antipsychotic medications are the only tried and tested medications used in treating schizophrenia, specifically acute psychosis. These medications have also proven effective in reducing the risk of psychotic episodes in the future. It is therefore important to mention that schizophrenia treatment assumes two broad phases: an acute phase of treatment where extremely high doses of medications are recommended so as to treat all psychotic symptoms, and then there is the maintenance phase where medication is administered to prevent future psychotic episodes. Needless to mention, the maintenance phase is a life-long one.
At the maintenance phase of schizophrenia, medication dosage is slowly reduced to the lowest possible level just to control inter-episodic symptoms and ensure the patient is on a balance. In case the symptoms reappear or get worse when on a reduced dosage, your doctor may recommend an increase in the dosage to prevent future relapse. It is important to mention that even with the life—long continued treatment plan, most people would still experience a relapse and go back to where they were initially. Doctors attribute a relapse on a patient who was otherwise stable to stopping the use of medications completely. As a caregiver, therefore, it is your duty to ensure your patient takes medication as recommended by the doctor. Most schizophrenia patients will experience a significant improvement with the use of antipsychotic medication. However, some will not respond to the basic medication used, which could necessitate changing the medication and treatment plan to make the patient’s body fully adjusted to the new medication.
At the maintenance phase of schizophrenia, medication dosage is slowly reduced to the lowest possible level just to control inter-episodic symptoms and ensure the patient is on a balance. In case the symptoms reappear or get worse when on a reduced dosage, your doctor may recommend an increase in the dosage to prevent future relapse. It is important to mention that even with the life—long continued treatment plan, most people would still experience a relapse and go back to where they were initially. Doctors attribute a relapse on a patient who was otherwise stable to stopping the use of medications completely. As a caregiver, therefore, it is your duty to ensure your patient takes medication as recommended by the doctor. Most schizophrenia patients will experience a significant improvement with the use of antipsychotic medication. However, some will not respond to the basic medication used, which could necessitate changing the medication and treatment plan to make the patient’s body fully adjusted to the new medication.