Types of drug therapies
There are two main types of drugs available for the treatment of schizophrenia: oral drugs and injections.
What are the advantages of these two types of therapies?
Oral drugs | Long-acting injections |
Easy to use | Can reduce the risk of relapse16 |
Conventional | Long lasting effect |
Seems familiar | It allows thinking about the disease and the therapy only four times a year, monthly or every two weeks |
It creates the feeling of independence and control | Less conflicts with relatives related to verifying whether the patient took the drugs or not |
Regular contacts with the doctor |
What are the disadvantages of these two types of therapies?
Oral drugs | Injections |
The patient has to think of taking the drug every day | Possible pain and swelling at the injection site |
The patient may forget to take the drug | If there is any side effect, which require switching therapies, this could take longer |
The patient is at higher risk of deterioration and hospitalization compared to long-action injections26 |
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References
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