Being prescribed a schizophrenia medication for the first time can be overwhelming. You may not know what kinds of things to tell your doctor or what questions to ask. Many people may see their doctor as an authority figure and are reluctant to ask questions. This is especially common for people from certain cultures, where asking a doctor questions would be seen as challenging his knowledge and insinuating that the doctor may not know as much as he or she claims to know.
But everyone has a right to know what they are being asked to put into their bodies. You also have the right to make the final decision about whether or not you want to take the medication. This article can help you become informed about your medication so that you can take an active role in your treatment.
What Kinds of Schizophrenia Medications Are There?
The most commonly prescribed type of schizophrenia medications are antipsychotics. These are prescribed to treat hallucinations and delusions, which are the main symptoms of schizophrenia. There are two categories of antipsychotic schizophrenia medications available today.
"Typical" antipsychotics were first used in the 1950s. They are also known as "first generation antipsychotics." They are effective in treating severe cases of schizophrenia. However, their possible side effects are more common and more serious than those seen in newer schizophrenia medications. For this reason, typical antipsychotics are often used as a last result, when atypical medication treatment has been unsuccessful. Haldol and Thorazine are the most well known typical antipsychotics.
"Atypical" antipsychotics were first approved for use in the 1990's. They are less likely to cause serious side effects. Atypical antipsychotic medications include Clozapine, asenapine, olanzapine, quetiapine, paliperidone, risperidone, sertindole, ziprasidone, zotepine, and aripiprazole.
While antipsychotics are the main schizophrenia medications, antidepressants can also be prescribed to treat the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. "Negative" symptoms refers to the things that many people with schizophrenia do not show, but that people without schizophrenia would show.
For example, lacking thought content, being unable to feel pleasure or happiness, or lack of motivation to complete everyday tasks, are negative symptoms. In addition, people with schizophrenia often also experience depression. Anti-anxiety medications may also be prescribed to people with schizophrenia who experience anxiety and agitation.
Why Ask Questions about Any Prescribed Medication?
One reason is that people who ask questions about their medications and are actively involved in their treatment have better outcomes. Asking questions can help people understand their schizophrenia medications and accept their need to take them. In addition, people who ask questions will get valuable information about using their medications correctly.
10 Questions You Should Ask
1. What Are the Benefits of Taking This Schizophrenia Medication?
Ask the doctor why he is prescribing this particular medication as opposed to other medications that are available. Some doctors like to stick to a particular brand of medication, which they will prescribe as a first choice for any patient with schizophrenia. Question your doctor to make sure that he or she is recommending the best course of treatment for your particular set of symptoms.
2. What Are the Risks of Taking This Schizophrenia Medication?
This is a question you should especially ask if you are being prescribed typical antipsychotics. You need to know what side effects to look for. Ask your doctor what side effects are most common. Who is most at risk for side effects? Will the side effects fade away after you've been taking the medication for a while, or are they likely to remain for as long as you are on the medication?
In the case of some typical schizophrenia medications, side effects can last even after a person has stopped taking the medication. Ask if there are any side effects that should prompt you to call your doctor if you experience them. If the possible side effects of the medication worry you, you can ask if there is a different medication you can take instead that won't have those side effects.
3. How Much Does This Medication Cost?
If you are on a budget, this question may be particularly important to you. You should also find out whether it is covered by your insurance and whether there is a generic version that might save you some money.
4. How Should I Take This Schizophrenia Medication?
Some medications may require you to take them on a full, or empty stomach. Some medications are best taken before bed, while others should be taken in the morning. WIth some medications, it is important to take them at the same time every day or to make sure to leave a specific amount of time between doses.
5. Will This Medication Have Any Troublesome Interactions with Alcohol, Certain Foods, My Other Medications, or over the Counter Medications?
Many medications do not mix well with alcohol. Some medications may require you to avoid driving or operating heavy machinery. Some medications should not be taken in conjunction with other prescription or over-the-counter medications, because it could either cause one of the medications to stop working or cause a serious side effect. Even some foods have to be avoided when taking certain medications. Be sure to ask about any vitamins or supplements you are taking, and how they will interact with your medication, as well.
6. Is This Schizophrenia Safe to Take While I Am Pregnant or Breastfeeding?
This is a question you really only need to ask if you are a female who is pregnant or planning on getting pregnant soon. It is an important question because some medications may be harmful to take during pregnancy. If you do become pregnant or decide to try to get pregnant after you've been taking your medication for a while, be sure to talk to your doctor about it so he or she can help update your treatment plan.
7. How Long Will This Medication Take to Start Working?
Some schizophrenia medications may start working within a few days of beginning them, while others may take weeks or months to build up in your system. Knowing when to expect the medication to start working will help you to evaluate whether it is the right medication for you. For example, if a medication does not start working right away, you may become discouraged and stop taking it, unaware that it is common or a few weeks to pass before you start noticing changes.
Or, if a medication is not working, you may keep taking it for weeks, patiently waiting for it to begin working, when it should have already been working. Knowing what to expect puts you in control of deciding whether it is the right medication for you.
8. What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
If you forget to take a dose of your medication in the morning, you might be tempted to just take it as soon as you remember it. But some medications have to be taken on a strict schedule and taking a dose at the wrong time can throw the whole schedule off. Your doctor might tell you to just wait until your next dose is due, or he might even tell you to take a double dose.
If it is extremely important that you take your medication at a specific time every day, you need to be aware of that so you can figure out a reminder system. If you have a smart phone, you can download a medication reminder app that can help you keep track of all of your schizophrenia medications and other medications.
9. When Should I Come In for Follow-Up Visits?
Some medications require you to have doctor visits as often as once a month for medication monitoring. You may also require regular physical tests, such as blood tests, to monitor possible side effects to your liver or kidneys. Be sure to make an appointment for a follow-up visit when you are supposed to, because some medication prescriptions cannot be refilled until you've seen the doctor again. If you don't visit the doctor on time, you may end up running out of your medication without being able to get a refill, and that may cause uncomfortable or dangerous withdrawal symptoms.
10. How Long Will I Need to Take This Medication?
Because schizophrenia is a chronic condition, many people stay on a schizophrenia medication throughout their lives. There may be circumstances in which you and your doctor may decide that you can stop taking your medication. If you ever do decide that you no longer want to take your medication, be sure to speak to your doctor about it. Your doctor can help you to taper off slowly, if need be, to avoid any withdrawal complications.
Every patient has the right to ask the doctor as many questions as they want about their schizophrenia medication. This list can give you a good place to start. You might want to consider bringing a notebook to write down the answers to the questions or bringing a supportive person along with you to help you remember what you learn.
After you've started taking your medication, you might want to have a place in your house where you can write down any questions that come up, so that you can remember to ask them at your next appointment. Remember that asking questions helps you to be an active participant in your treatment, and that will increase the chances of a positive outcome for you.
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