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Pharmacological approaches to the management of schizophrenia
Author(s) -
Lambert Timothy J R,
Castle David J
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2003.tb05309.x
Subject(s) - neurocognitive , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , extrapyramidal symptoms , psychiatry , side effect (computer science) , medicine , management of schizophrenia , quality of life (healthcare) , cognition , psychology , antipsychotic , psychotherapist , computer science , programming language
Pharmacological treatment remains the mainstay of the management of schizophrenia. Older, “typical” antipsychotics carry a significant burden of side effects, notably extrapyramidal and neurocognitive side effects. Newer, “atypical” agents carry a lower risk of extrapyramidal side effects. They appear to have added benefit for treating negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia, and hence can enhance the quality of life of some patients. The choice of particular agents for individual patients requires a balancing of efficacy and side effects. Medication is only one element of what should be an individualised comprehensive treatment plan for people with schizophrenia.