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.
