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Medication management of antipsychotic treatment in schizophrenia—A narrative review
Author(s) -
Isohanni Matti,
Jääskeläinen Erika,
Miller Brian J.,
Hulkko Anja,
Tiihonen Jari,
Möller HansJurgen,
Hartikainen Sirpa,
Huhtaniska Sanna,
Lieslehto Johannes
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
human psychopharmacology: clinical and experimental
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.461
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1099-1077
pISSN - 0885-6222
DOI - 10.1002/hup.2765
Subject(s) - scopus , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , antipsychotic , medicine , management of schizophrenia , narrative review , adverse effect , medline , psychiatry , intensive care medicine , psychology , pharmacology , political science , law
Background/Objective The risk‐benefit ratio of antipsychotics in schizophrenia depends primarily on their effect on brain chemistry. An important factor influencing the efficacy of prescribed drugs is medication management, which can be defined as an ongoing process to manage and monitor the recommended use of antipsychotics to facilitate their cost‐effective, adherent, and acceptable use. Materials We reviewed narratively relevant literature that examined the medication management of antipsychotics in schizophrenia based on a search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycARTICLES, and Cochrane in May 2020. We also included controlled interventional studies with a follow‐up period of at least 2 years. Result Based on the previous literature, there is no unified approach for optimal medication management, but multiple useful strategies are presented for individual patients, prescribers, and organizations. Conclusions Systematic medication management may improve the risk‐benefit balance of antipsychotics by achieving the lowest effective dose, minimizing adverse effects, and improving adherence. There is a need for well‐designed naturalistic studies and clinical trials to optimize management in schizophrenia.