Advances in the pharmacological treatment of schizophrenia

Overview

The article summarizes the possibilities of diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia. Shortly the history of antipsychotics (AP) is reviewed. Nowadays the atypical APs are preferred. Their availability (including long-acting atypical AP) enhances compliance, which is the necessary condition for the achievement and maintenance of remission. The remission is becoming the main aim of the treatment. The individual atypical agents differ in their side effects and this should be taken into consideration when choosing AP for an individual patient. On the base of present knowledge it is obligatory to use a complex approach and consider not only the psychic but also the somatic state of the patient.

Key words:
antipsychotic treatment – atypical antipsychotics – compliance – remission – side effects – choice of antipsychotic.