What the patient and care giver should know about treatment of schizophrenia?

• Antipsychotics drugs do not cure schizophrenia. They treat the symptoms in same way that insulin treats diabetes.
• Drugs/Medicine usually takes two to four weeks to work on symptoms so have patience .
• Watch for common side effects informed by doctor.
• Long term treatment is required to prevent relapse.
• Family interventions and strong social support increases the chance of remaining asymptomatic.
• Several antipsychotic drugs are available . Different drugs suit different patients.
• Common side effect can emerge in short term which need to be discussed so that adherence to drug can be enhanced.
• Antipsychotic drug should not be stopped suddenly.
• Common test which is required to be done before starting the medicine are Complete Blood Count, Blood Lipids, Urea and Electrolyte, Plasma Glucose , Serum Prolactin level, Liver Function Test and ECG.
• These test have to be repeated at six monthly basis or at least yearly basis.