Are there any antipsychotic medications available for the patient of schizophrenia?

Antipsychotics (neuroleptics) relieve the symptoms of psychosis and prevent relapses. However, they sometimes have stressful side effects. Antipsychotic medication for schizophrenia inhibits the activity of specific nerve cells in the brain. As a result, they have a calming effect and reduce hallucinations and delusions. The drugs, often called neuroleptics, belong to the group of psychotropic drugs. Although they cannot cure the disease, they are sometimes the only way to alleviate the symptoms and prevent acute psychosis from recurring.

Sleeping aids and sedatives can temporarily help with severe restlessness and sleep disorders. They are usually taken in addition to antipsychotics. Antidepressants can be used to treat depressive symptoms. Some people take Antipsychotic medication for schizophrenia often, others for many years, or even for a lifetime. An alternative is so-called depot syringes that work over a more extended period of time. They contain the same active ingredient and are injected into the muscle regularly every few weeks or months. Your advantage is that you don't have to think about taking the tablets every day.

How well do antipsychotics help with acute psychosis?

Antipsychotics act primarily against changes in perception, such as hearing voices and delusions, as well as against arousal. They are less effective against complaints such as listlessness, attention, and memory problems, or depression, but these can also improve. This is why patients are suggested to opt for the best psychotherapy for schizophrenia. In about 30 out of 100 people, symptoms improve within six weeks if they take a dummy medication. In about 50 out of 100 people, symptoms improve within six weeks if they take antipsychotics. How well antipsychotics work depends on various factors, and is ultimately very individual. But it can matter whether someone has acute psychosis for the first or repeated time, what symptoms occur, and how severe they are, which active ingredient is taken in which dose.

Conclusion: How well do antipsychotics prevent relapses?

Several studies showed that relapse occurred within a year about 64 out of 100 people who took a dummy drug, and about 26 out of 100 people who took antipsychotics. How long the drugs are used depends on how many acute psychoses have already occurred, and how severe they were. Antipsychotics should not be stopped suddenly. Otherwise, relapse is easier. Therefore, if treatment is to be stopped, it is essential to discuss the exact procedure with a doctor. And, ask if the best psychotherapy for schizophrenia is necessary to be continued.