APA Guidelines Bundle

Schizophrenia Patient Guide

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6 TREATMENT Treatment with Antipsychotic Medications   • Medications used for schizophrenia are called antipsychotics.   • The initial goal of treatment with an antipsychotic medication is to reduce or eliminate symptoms and allow a rapid return to the best level of functioning.   • These medications can help the patient feel calmer, clear confusion, and control other symptoms within hours or days, but can take a number of weeks to reach their full effect. Over a longer term, antipsychotics can help to prevent further episodes of psychosis.   • The patient might need to try more than one antipsychotic medication to find the right one. The good thing is that there are many different medication options to choose from. The patient and the clinician can review the other medication options that are available, discuss the possible benefits and side effects of each, and work together to find a medication that will be most effective.   • If the patient is having success with the prescribed medication, it is important to continue taking that same medication regularly as scheduled.   • Long-acting injectable medications are good options for patients who may have trouble remembering to take their medications regularly.   • The patient will be advised to keep taking antipsychotic medications even after the symptoms are controlled. If the medications are stopped too early, there is a high risk that symptoms will return. This may not happen until several months later.   • Other medications are often added to treat other mental health symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and side effects of antipsychotics.   • While taking medications, effectiveness and any potential side effects will be monitored. If a patient believes he or she is experiencing side effects, it is important that the doctor be told BEFORE stopping any prescribed medication.

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