Several medications are available for schizophrenia, so if one drug has not given you positive results, you may want to consider a different option with your healthcare provider. Here is a list of different possible medications as a reference to consider and to ask your provider about. Working with your provider can help you find the treatment option that works best for you.
Second-generation antipsychotics
These medications are the most prescribed. In most cases, they lack the severe side effects seen in first-generation antipsychotics. These medications can still cause side effects, including Type 2 diabetes, weight gain, high cholesterol, blurry vision, constipation and dry mouth. These medications include:
• Aripiprazole (Abilify)
• Asenapine (Saphris)
• Brexpiprazole (Rexulti)
• Cariprazine (Vraylar)
• Clozapine (Clozaril, Versacloz)
• Iloperidone (Fanapt)
• Lumateperone tosylate (Caplyta)
• Lurasidone (Latuda)
• Olanzapine/ (Zyprexa)
•• Paliperidone (Invega)
• Pimavanserin (Nuplazid)
• Quetiapine (Seroquel)
• Risperidone (Risperdal)
• Ziprasidone (Geodon)
First-generation antipsychotics
These medications, often called typical, can lead to some side effects, including a movement disorder called tardive dyskinesia and muscle stiffness. This drug class includes:
• Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)
• Fluphenazine (Proxlixin)
• Haloperidol (Haldol)
• Loxapine (Loxitane)
• Perphenazine ((Trilafon)
• Pimozide (Orap)
• Thioridazine (Mellaril)
• Thiothixene (Navane)
• Trifluoperazine (Stelazine)
Long-acting injectable antipsychotics
These medications are usually given every two to 12 weeks as an intramuscular or subcutaneous injection. Research shows that adherence to proper medication schedules is often higher with these medicines. They include:
• Abilify Maintena,
• Aristada
• Aripiprazole
• Fluphenazine decanoate
• Haloperidol decanoate
• Invega Sustenna
• Invega Trinza
• Olanzapine
• Paliperidone
• Persens
• Risperdal Consta
• Risperidone
Other Schizophrenia Treatment Are Available
In addition to medications, other types of treatment are available.
Therapy
A wide variety of therapy is available, including individual and family therapy. Additionally, employment support and vocational training are available.
Electroconvulsive Therapy
A person with schizophrenia often receives two to three treatments weekly, producing controlled seizures. While scientists are unsure why they work, they often improve a person’s mood and help them think clearer.
If you are a person with schizophrenia, we would love to visit with you about your treatment plan. This is especially true if you are unhappy with the care you currently receive. Better choices may be available, but you must make the first move, so contact American Behavioral Clinics. A brighter future may be yours to claim by reaching out to us today. We would love to be part of that future.
Existing Patients and New Patients, Call us to schedule an appointment, get a prescription refill or just to ask a question:
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