Abstract
This article reviews pharmacological treatment of schizophrenia from choice of an antipsychotic drug in different stages of the illness to some practical issues of maintenance treatment. Currently available medications for schizophrenia are not effective for all patients.
There is a large range of clinical efficacy and individual adverse effect profiles of drugs. The personalised treatment plan needs consider not only symptoms of illness and adverse effects profile of chosen drug but also comorbid conditions, past therapeutic response and patients preferences and expectations.
Clozapin, despite its side effects limitations remains the solution for treatment-refractory patients. Depot antipsychotics increase the adherence and awareness of when a patient stopped the treatment.
Electroconvulsive treatment is recommended as a last resort for treatment resistant patients and as a special indication for severe catatonia.