Connecting the Dots in Antipsychotic Maintenance Therapy- Medication nonadherence is common and difficult to detect in patients with schizophrenia. Roughly 50% of patients take less than 70% of prescribed doses. Clinical management requires getting the patient on the most appropriate medication, working with patients and families to improve adherence to medication, and then consistently measuring efficacy and side effects. Many factors contribute to nonadherence, including poor illness insight, a negative attitude toward medication, and adverse events such as weight gain or metabolic changes. Clinicians who establish functional partnerships with their patients are able to deliver messages in a way that they are heard. Messaging includes emphasis on the necessity of medication adherence to prevent relapse during the maintenance phase, and the importance of using measurement-based care during all phases of treatment for schizophrenia.
Define the critical areas that affect nonadherence to antipsychotic medication and implement strategies to address adherence in patients with schizophrenia.
Review the available tools to evaluate patients' progress and implement regular, measurement-based evaluations.
Implement regular metabolic screening for patients taking antipsychotic medication.
Define the critical areas that affect nonadherence to antipsychotic medication and implement strategies to address adherence in patients with schizophrenia.
Review the available tools to evaluate patients' progress and implement regular, measurement-based evaluations.
Implement regular metabolic screening for patients taking antipsychotic medication.
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