Psychiatr. pro Praxi, 2009; 10(4): 171-174

Adherence and patient’s attitudes to antipsychotic medication

doc. MUDr. Radovan Přikryl Ph.D, PhDr. Hana Kučerová, Ph.D

Psychiatrická klinika LF MU a FN Brno

Adherence to antipsychotic medications in schizophrenia continues to be a significant in terms of its impact on the rate of relapse.

Over the past 50 years, antipsychotic medications have emerged as the cornerstone in the management of the varied symptoms of

schizophrenia. However, the unrivalled role of first-generation antipsychotic medications was continuously challenged because of the

wide range of side-effects. Prominent among these effects were the lack of subjective tolerability and the negative attitudes towards

medications. Neuroleptic-drug-induced dysphoria has been shown to affect compliance behaviour, clinical outcome and quality of life,

and to contribute to suicidal behaviour. Although there is agreement that second-generation antipsychotics are much better tolerated

than the old antipsychotics, there is a need for well-designed comparative studies to explore their effects on adherence behaviour.

Currently available data can only suggest that there is a trend towards improved adherence, functional state and quality of life with the

use of second-generation antipsychotics.

Keywords: adherence, attitudes towards treatment, compliance, schizophrenia.

Published: August 1, 2009  Show citation