Long-term pharmacological management of schizophrenia

Abstract

The goals of long-term treatment in schizophrenia are evolving. In the past, treatment focused on preventing a psychotic relapse. More recently, however, they focus on enhancing an individual's functioning and the quality of life. Helping patients achieve these goals usually requires combining pharmacotherapy with psychosocial treatment. This is supported by research which finds that psychosocial treatments are effective when patients are symptomatically stable. Challenges during long-term treatment include nonadherence with effective treatment and adverse effects which interfere with functioning. New approaches to addressing adherence problems include openly discussing the reasons and prescribing long-acting injectable medications.