Schizophrenia, treatment

Educate patients and families about schizophrenia, treatments, and the importance of adherence to antipsychotic treatment. 

Fortunately, new treatments have greatly improved the plight of the patient with schizophrenia. Thanks in large part to the introduction of newer antipsychotic medications, few patients with this disease spend their lives in long-term psychiatric hospitals anymore. However, we have a long way to go. Individuals with schizophrenia are currently a sizeable proportion of both the homeless population and the prison population in the United States. Even with the great advances in schizophrenia treatment in the last 50 years, this illness still takes a tremendous toll on the lives of its sufferers and their families. 

Beaumont G. Antipsychotics—the future of schizophrenia treatment. Curr Med Res Opin 2000 16 37-42. 

Amisulpride is used for both acute and chronic schizophrenia treatment... 

For second and subsequent episodes of psychosis in schizophrenia, treatment may need to be indetinite... 

In this chapter, we provide an overview of the current state of pharmacogenetics in schizophrenia treatment. The most promising pharmacogenetic findings are presented for both antipsychotic response and commonly studied adverse reactions. The application of pharmacogenetics to schizophrenia treatment is discussed, with an emphasis on the clinical utility of pharmacogenetic testing and directions for future research. 

Peet M, EPA Treatment Group. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in the treatment of schizophrenia. Treatment of schizophrenia with ethyl-eicosapentaenoate (EPA) a randomized placebo controlled trial. Brain Reuptake and Utilization of Fatty Acids, Applications to Peroxisomal Disorders, an International Workshop, 2000, p. 11. 

It is important to screen patients for co-occurring mental disorders, and their presence may become more apparent during the stabilization or maintenance phases of schizophrenia treatment. Examples include substance abuse disorders, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and panic disorder. As co-occurring disorders will limit symptom and functional improvement and increase the risk of relapse, it is critical that they be appropriately treated. Pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions specific for the co-occurring disorder should be implemented in combination with evidence-based treatment for schizophrenia. 

Ziprasidone is a benzisoxazole derivative with antipsychotic activity, apparently because of dopamine and serotonin-receptor antagonism. It is indicated in the treatment of schizophrenia treatment of acute manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar disorder and treatment of acute agitation in schizophrenic patients (injection only). 

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