Contents:
- Medical Video: AHS reducing use of antipsychotics in long-term care
- Antipsychotics, a type of schizophrenia medication that doctors often prescribe
- Types of antipsychotic drugs
- 1. Oral antipsychotic drugs (oral medication)
- 2. Long-acting injection drugs (long-acting injection)
- Antipsychotic side effects as a cure for schizophrenia
Medical Video: AHS reducing use of antipsychotics in long-term care
Since schizophrenia is a chronic disease, patients with this mental disorder need treatment that is long enough to heal. One effective treatment method is to take schizophrenia medication regularly. If the patient does not take schizophrenia medication regularly, the chances of symptom recurrence will increase.
Now the more frequent recurrence occurs, the patient's condition will decrease and the risk of permanent brain damage will also be higher. So, what are the options for schizophrenia that doctors often prescribe? Check out the various drug options below.
Antipsychotics, a type of schizophrenia medication that doctors often prescribe
Schizophrenia treatment has several methods, including drug delivery and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), aka electric therapy. But now the administration of antipsychotic drugs is the most common, while electrical therapy has been largely abandoned.
Antipsychotics themselves are primary drugs used to reduce and control psychotic symptoms. Psychotic is a condition that affects a person's mind so that hallucinations, delusions, unclear thoughts, and behavior or speech are not normal.
This drug works by affecting the neurotransmitters of dopamine and serotonin in the brain, so this drug can help alleviate various symptoms of mental disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, and others.
It should be understood that antipsychotics cannot cure schizophrenia, but these drugs can help relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life for patients. This medicine must be given by prescription.
Types of antipsychotic drugs
Based on the method of administration, antipsychotics are also divided into two types, namely:
1. Oral antipsychotic drugs (oral medication)
This medication is usually given to patients who have mild symptoms of schizophrenia and it is still possible to take medication regularly. Drugs are available in the form of tablets, liquids, or tablets dissolve quickly and must be taken every day at least 2-3 per day.
Given the patient must take this medicine every day, so there is a risk of forgetting to take medication, which in turn increases the risk of greater recurrence.
2. Long-acting injection drugs (long-acting injection)
This drug is usually given to patients who are difficult to take medication every day and no one can monitor them. Because the drug does not have to be taken every day. The drug administration interval is around 2-4 weeks and even some can be given for 12 weeks.
The main advantage of this type of drug is that patients do not need to be reminded to take medication and allow a lower risk of recurrence.
Met at the South Asean Mental Health Forum event, Thursday (30/8), Jakarta, which was supported by PT Johnson and Johnson Indonesia, Dr. Eka Viora SpKJ, Chair of the Indonesian Mental Health Specialist Association (PDSKJI), revealed "Injecting drugs will usually be given to patients who are busy or have solid activities. Afraid, the activities carried out make the patient forget to take medication and worsen his condition, because injecting drugs are given to make it easier. "
Unfortunately this medicine can only be given by medical personnel. Even so this certainly brings good news, because patients will be more organized to see a doctor.
Antipsychotic side effects as a cure for schizophrenia
Antipsychotics are divided into two groups, namely:
Atypical antipsychotics
This drug is the latest generation antipsychotic drug, aka the second generation. Compared to the first generation, this type of antipsychotic is considered to have lighter side effects so it is most often recommended by doctors. Some of the latest generation of antipsychotic drugs are olanzapine, quetiapine, ziprasidone, aripiprazole, lurasidone, and risperidone.
Typical antipsychotics
This drug is a first generation drug which is also often referred to as a neuroleptic. Unfortunately, this drug can cause side effects on muscles and nerves, for example muscle spasms, twitching and trembling.
Although atypical antipsychotic drugs are often prescribed because of minimal side effects, typical antipsychotics are generally cheaper. Some of these first generation antipsychotic drugs include chlorpromazine, haloperidol, perphenazine, and fluphenazine.
In cases of schizophrenia, drugs are the main choice for controlling symptoms. Since this mental disorder is a chronic disease, the treatment is also long-term. Quite often many families are worried about the side effects of the treatment of this disease.
However, keep in mind that each drug must have side effects, including antipsychotics that are used as drugs for schizophrenia. Even so you don't need to worry. Because the side effects of these drugs can generally be overcome, as long as the patient conducts regular consultations with the doctor.
"All drugs have side effects. So you have to consult with your doctor, all the side effects of the drug can be overcome. There are drugs that are sleepy side effects, well, so we are looking for a drug that is not sleepy. If he needs sleep, then we give drugs that have sedation effects. So, everything can be overcome and no one is worried for him (schizophrenic patient) using drugs for life. ", Said Dr. Eka Viora SpKJ explained further.
Therefore, make sure you always consult a doctor about the benefits and side effects of any medication that is prescribed to prevent serious complications.
