ANTIPSYCHOTICS. Antipsychotic agents are the first-line treatment for patients with schizophrenia. There are two general types of antipsychotic drugs: first-generation (typical) and second-generation (atypical) agents.
Antipsychotics. Antipsychotics are usually recommended as the initial treatment for the symptoms of an acute schizophrenic episode. They work by blocking the effect of the chemical dopamine, or other chemicals on the brain.
Haloperidol, fluphenazine, and chlorpromazine are known as conventional, or typical, antipsychotics and have been used to treat schizophrenia for years.
Despite its superior efficacy and potential to reduce substantially the morbidity of schizophrenia and improve the outcomes, of patients, clozapine has not been used on a widespread basis or as a first-line treatment due to its potential for agranulocytosis.
Medications are the cornerstone of schizophrenia treatment, and antipsychotic medications are the most commonly prescribed drugs. They're thought to control symptoms by affecting the brain neurotransmitter dopamine.
Clozapine is regarded as the “gold standard” for treating schizophrenia. It is the only antipsychotic approved for treating the 20 to 30 percent of patients who do not respond to other medications, and especially those who are suicidal or violent.
Antipsychotics (atypical & typical)
They're the first-line treatment and work on chemicals in the brain like dopamine and serotonin. Antipsychotics can reduce some common schizophrenia symptoms like hallucinations and delusions.
The exact causes of schizophrenia are unknown. Research suggests a combination of physical, genetic, psychological and environmental factors can make a person more likely to develop the condition. Some people may be prone to schizophrenia, and a stressful or emotional life event might trigger a psychotic episode.
The main type of talking therapy recommended for the treatment of schizophrenia is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which helps you identify and change any negative thoughts or behaviour that is making your life hard. CBT aims to help you: cope with symptoms of psychosis such as delusions or hearing voices.
Start with a low dose and increase slowly. First line: Aripiprazole 5mg 0D (increasing to 10mg OD) with benzodiazepines as above if needed. Note that response to Aripiprazole can be slower than with other antipsychotics. Sooner if the patient is experiencing adverse effects.
Unfortunately, most people with schizophrenia are unaware that their symptoms are warning signs of a mental disorder. Their lives may be unraveling, yet they may believe that their experiences are normal. Or they may feel that they're blessed or cursed with special insights that others can't see.
Schizophrenia patients also have high rates of co-occurring disorders, like substance abuse and depression. These additional disorders can make the underlying schizophrenia more difficult to treat and it is possible schizophrenia may even be misdiagnosed due to the existence of the other disorders.
Residential treatment is often the best choice for schizophrenia. Long-term, intensive care helps you or your loved one learn to manage this condition through therapy, group sessions, social and life skill development, and alternative and wellness practices.
Antipsychotic medication can help with hearing voices. Medication may not make symptoms go away, but it can make voices seem distant or less noticeable. Sometimes the first antipsychotic that you try may not help.
Paranoid schizophrenia
This is the most common type of schizophrenia. It may develop later in life than other forms. Symptoms include hallucinations and/or delusions, but your speech and emotions may not be affected.
Clozapine, which has the strongest antipsychotic effect, can cause neutropenia.
The main reason patients with TRS do not receive clozapine is relatively simple: The health care system is not equipped to provide it to them. Psychiatrists hesitate to prescribe clozapine at least in part because the need for monitoring and registration creates busywork that is not reimbursed or remunerated.
Clozapine may cause myocarditis (swelling of the heart muscle that may be dangerous) or cardiomyopathy (enlarged or thickened heart muscle that stops the heart from pumping blood normally).