How are antipsychotic medications taken,
and how do people respond to them?
Antipsychotic medications are
usually taken daily in pill or liquid
form. Some antipsychotics are
injections that are given once or
twice a month.
Symptoms of schizophrenia, such
as feeling agitated and having
hallucinations, usually improve
within days after starting
antipsychotic treatment. Symptoms like delusions usually improve within a
few weeks. After about 6 weeks, many people will experience improvement
in their symptoms. Some people will continue to have some symptoms, but
usually medication helps to keep the symptoms from getting very intense.
However, people respond in different ways to antipsychotic medications,
and no one can tell beforehand how a person will respond. Sometimes a
person needs to try several medications before finding the right one.
Doctors and patients can work together to find the best medication or
medication combination, as well as the right dose.
Most people will have one or more periods of relapse—their symptoms
come back or get worse. Usually, relapses happen when people stop taking
their medication or when they take it less often than prescribed.
Some people stop taking the medication because they feel better or they
may feel they don’t need it anymore. But no one should stop taking an
antipsychotic medication without first talking to his or her doctor.
Medication should be gradually tapered off, never stopped suddenly.