What are possible reasons for non adherence to antipsychotics?

What are possible reasons for non adherence to antipsychotics?

Several studies from high-income countries exploring reasons for non-adherence to antipsychotic medication, including some qualitative studies, reported the most common reasons for non-adherence to be lack of insight, low therapeutic alliance [12, 13], the presence of positive symptoms, being male, substance abuse.

What is the most common cause of non adherence to antipsychotic pharmacological treatment?

Insight was the most frequently investigated reason for nonadherence, reported in 55.6% (20/36) of the studies, followed by substance abuse (36.1%, 13/36), attitude toward medication (30.5%, 11/36), medication side effects (27.8%, 10/36), and cognitive impairments (19.4%, 7/36; Figure 212,19,20,22–36,38–50,52–55).

What are the consequences of non-compliance of antipsychotic treatment?

Consequences of non adherence to antipsychotic medication Non-adherence with oral or depot antipsychotic medication combined were associated with increased frequencies of relapses, being persistent psychotic and an increased risk of being admitted to hospital in this group of patients with recent onset schizophrenia.

Why is noncompliance with antipsychotic medication a major issue in the treatment of schizophrenia?

It is a particular challenge in schizophrenia due to the illness’s association with social isolation, stigma, and comorbid substance misuse, plus the effect of symptom domains on adherence, including positive and negative symptoms, lack of insight, depression, and cognitive impairment.

What are the reason for non-compliance?

Denial of illness was the most common reason leading to noncompliance. Financial burden, lack of knowledge of illness, reduced access to treatment facilities, side-effects of the medication and substance abuse also stand as significant contributory reasons for non-compliance.

Why do people stop taking antipsychotic medication?

Intentional nonadherence refers to a conscious patient decision to stop taking medication or to take less medication than is prescribed. The identified reasons in this category include poor insight, a negative attitude toward medication, distressing medication side effects, poor therapeutic alliance, and stigma.

How long can a schizophrenic go without medication?

New study challenges our understanding of schizophrenia as a chronic disease that requires lifelong treatment. A new study shows that 30 per cent of patients with schizophrenia manage without antipsychotic medicine after ten years of the disease, without falling back into a psychosis.

How to deal with non-compliance with antipsychotics?

If side effects are a major cause of noncompliance, ask the doctor about switching to one of the newer “atypical” antipsychotics (clozapine, risperidone, or olanzapine). Sometimes there is a trade-off between giving the older medications by long-acting injections and starting one of the newer medications, which currently come only in pill form.

How to deal with non-compliance-schizophrenia?

How to deal with Non-Compliance Antipsychotic medication greatly reduces the chance that patients with schizophrenia will relapse. Unfortunately, about half of patients recovering from a relapse stop medication within 1 year. This handout explains some reasons patients with schizophrenia stop their medication and suggests ways families can help.

When does nonadherence with antipsychotic medication lead to?

When nonadherence is covert, it may lead to the incorrect assumption that an antipsychotic drug is ineffective, which may result in an inappropriate change of treatment, including an increase in the dose of the antipsychotic drug, switching to another antipsychotic agent, or the addition of other medications.

Are there any ethical issues with antipsychotic medication?

Financial incentives to enhance antipsychotic adherence raise ethical issues, and their place in practice remains unclear.

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