Schizophrenia is a mental health disorder that impacts a person’s perception of reality. People with schizophrenia often experience psychosis, which can involve delusional beliefs, hallucinations, disordered thinking, and other effects. Antipsychotic drugs are immensely helpful when treating this condition, but it is crucial that patients understand how these drugs work.
First-generation antipsychotics have been instrumental in treating schizophrenia for many years. First-gen drugs include the following medications:
While effective, these drugs are associated with certain unwanted effects, such as spontaneous muscle contractions and tremors.
Newer antipsychotics, known as second-generation medications, typically have a lower risk of these side effects. These medications include:
While not quite as risky as first-generation drugs, second-generation antipsychotics carry a risk of metabolic changes that can increase cholesterol levels and heighten a person’s risk of diabetes.
Many people on antipsychotic medication take it in pill form. However, injections can also be administered to provide a longer-acting form of the medication. In this case, a person may require a new injection every two to four weeks depending on their symptoms.
Medication is typically more effective when a person also receives psychotherapy. In the event that schizophrenia is causing serious issues with interpersonal relationships, social skills training can help. Some people also require job training and vocational rehabilitation to find and secure lucrative employment.