Schizophrenia – These drugs are used!

Introduction

The clinical picture of schizophrenia should not be underestimated. Once the diagnosis has been made, it should be treated immediately, because the earlier schizophrenia is treated, the better the effect on the further course of treatment. In the following, the drug therapy for schizophrenia will be discussed in particular. For general information we recommend our page on: Therapy of schizophrenia

Overview

The main medications used to treat schizophrenia are Antipsychotics (formerly neuroleptics) Benzodiazepines (special tranquilizers) Antidepressants Alternative substances can be used as a supplement, e.g. homeopathic remedies Herbal medicines Other, e.g. sleeping pills

  • Antipsychotics (formerly neuroleptics)
  • Benzodiazepines (special sedatives)
  • Antidepressants
  • Homeopathic remedies
  • Herbal medicines
  • Other, e.g. sleeping pills

What are neuroleptics?

Neuroleptics is an obsolete term for the group of antipsychotics. These are drugs that intervene in the signal transmission via messenger substances in the brain. They bind to receptors for these messenger substances and reduce their effect, so that the brain is subdued in the figurative sense and typical schizophrenia symptoms such as delusions subside.

The older and so-called typical antipsychotics, such as haloperidol, act mainly by influencing the receptor for dopamine. They are highly effective even in small doses. Unfortunately, these substances lead to severe side effects in many patients, above all to problems with motor skills, i.e. muscle movement.

In severe schizophrenia, the typical antipsychotics are still the drug of choice because of their good effect. The newer and so-called atypical antipsychotics, e.g. Risperidone, act on several receptors at the same time, but less strongly, so that the side effects are also less pronounced. They are therefore used for milder forms of schizophrenic disorders and can replace typical antipsychotics even in more severe cases with good concomitant therapy.

Risperidone is a so-called atypical antipsychotic, i.e. it does not (only) act by inhibiting the messenger substance dopamine and therefore less often triggers motor disorders as a side effect. It is therefore preferred to the typical antipsychotics if possible. Nevertheless, even under Risperidone, motor limitations can occur in the context of extrapyramidal motor disorders (EPS) and other side effects and patients must therefore be closely monitored.