Journal of Psychiatry

Analysis of Antipsychotic Medications Efficacy in Schizophrenia

Celina Mei Yong^* Department of Psychiatry, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
^*Correspondence: Celina Mei Yong, Department of Psychiatry, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand, Email:

Received: 31-Dec-2022, Manuscript No. JOP-22-20165; Editor assigned: 03-Jan-2023, Pre QC No. JOP-22-20165(PQ); Reviewed: 17-Jan-2023, QC No. JOP-22-20165; Revised: 24-Jan-2023, Manuscript No. JOP-22-20165(R); Published: 31-Jan-2023, DOI: 10.35248/2378-5756.23.26.554

About the Study

Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder that affects approximately 1% of the global population. The disorder is characterized by symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, disordered thinking, and abnormal behavior. Antipsychotic medications are the primary treatment for schizophrenia, and they have been in use since the 1950s. These medications are effective in managing the symptoms of the disorder and improving the quality of life for individuals with schizophrenia.

There are two types of antipsychotic medications:

• First-Generation Antipsychotics (FGAs).

• Second-Generation Antipsychotics (SGAs).

FGAs, also known as typical antipsychotics, include medications such as chlorpromazine, haloperidol, and fluphenazine. SGAs, also known as atypical antipsychotics, include medications such as clozapine, risperidone, and olanzapine. The primary difference between these two classes of medications is their side effect profile. FGAs have a higher risk of causing movement disorders such as tardive dyskinesia, whereas SGAs have a higher risk of causing metabolic side effects such as weight gain and diabetes.

The efficacy of antipsychotic medications in treating schizophrenia has been extensively studied. The overall conclusion is that antipsychotic medications are effective in reducing the symptoms of schizophrenia. In a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, Researcher’s found that antipsychotic medications were more effective than placebo in reducing the symptoms of schizophrenia. The study also found that SGAs were more effective than FGAs in reducing the symptoms of schizophrenia.

However, the efficacy of antipsychotic medications varies between individuals. Some individuals with schizophrenia may respond well to antipsychotic medications, while others may not respond at all. The reasons for this variability are not entirely understood, but it is thought to be due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

One factor that can affect the efficacy of antipsychotic medications is medication adherence. Individuals with schizophrenia may struggle with medication adherence due to the nature of their illness. They may have difficulty remembering to take their medication, or they may not believe that they need to take medication. Poor medication adherence can lead to a lack of response to antipsychotic medications.

Another factor that can affect the efficacy of antipsychotic medications is the severity of the illness. Individuals with more severe symptoms of schizophrenia may require higher doses of medication or a combination of medications to achieve a response.

The duration of treatment can also affect the efficacy of antipsychotic medications. In a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, researchers found that the longer the duration of treatment, the greater the improvement in symptoms. This suggests that individuals with schizophrenia may require longterm treatment with antipsychotic medications to achieve the best possible outcome.

One of the challenges of treating schizophrenia with antipsychotic medications is balancing the benefits of the medication with the risk of side effects. FGAs have a higher risk of causing movement disorders such as tardive dyskinesia, whereas SGAs have a higher risk of causing metabolic side effects such as weight gain and diabetes. The choice of medication will depend on the individual's risk of developing side effects and their preferences.

Clozapine is a unique SGA that has been shown to be effective in treating schizophrenia in individuals who have not responded to other antipsychotic medications. However, clozapine has a significant risk of causing agranulocytosis, a potentially lifethreatening condition that involves a severe reduction in white blood cells. Because of this risk, individuals who are prescribed clozapine must have regular blood tests to monitor their white blood cell count.