ANTIPSYCHOTIC MEDICATION

Antipsychotic medication is important to help get symptoms under control and then to stop them coming back. Antipsychotics are prescription medicines which work by changing the balance of chemicals in the brain. Many people with psychosis need to take antipsychotics long-term to help keep them well.

There are many different brands of antipsychotics. They all work slightly differently so that if one doesn’t suit you, you will be able to try others until you find one which does. Talk to your doctor about what you want from your medication so that you can make the best choice for you.

Most doctors now recommend newer antipsychotics (called atypicals) as a first choice. These tend to help control a wider range of symptoms than the older drugs (called conventionals) and to have less of the shaking side effects than older drugs. But some people prefer the older drugs. It’s about whatever works for you.

You can also choose if you would prefer to take your antipsychotic as a tablet or an injection, and some come in a liquid form or a kind of tablet or wafer that melts quickly in the mouth.

Tablets are a good choice for many people. They are easy to take and people often prefer them to the thought of injections. The main downside of tablets is that you need to remember to take them once or twice a day so that they work properly. Even missing one or two doses can increase the risk of symptoms coming back or even relapse, so people who find it difficult to remember may need extra support with their medication taking.

For those who find remembering to take tablets every day difficult, injections may be a good option. The downside of injections is that, well, they are injections and some people don’t like needles. But on the plus side you only have to get them every few weeks rather than every day, which means that you know you are covered with medication and don’t need to worry about it in the meantime. And with newer injectable medicines you can choose to have the injection either in the arm or in the backside.

There are two really important things to remember about medication. Firstly that it is there to help you get well and stay well. Most people with psychosis really do need medication to help them. And secondly, medication only works properly when it’s taken properly. That means that the right amount is taken at the right time, as prescribed by your doctor.

For information on specific medicines, ask your doctor or nurse. You can also visit the Medsafe website and click on the link called Consumer Medicine Information.