Benefits and limitations of neuroleptics--and other forms of treatment--in schizophrenia.
Neuroleptic drugs are of proven value in schizophrenia for both the treatment of acute psychotic states and for the prevention of relapse in patients who have recovered from psychosis. However, these drugs have a number of important limitations: they are not effective for all patients, they have a number of serious adverse effects, and they are limited in what they can do. Some of the more serious side effects, particular tardive dyskinesia, require that clinicians use these drugs only in situations when they are demonstrably effective, and at the lowest effective dose. For most schizophrenic patients, neuroleptics should be only one part of a treatment program which will also include appropriate psychosocial treatment.
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004409:Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000628:therapy*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents