Adherence to antipsychotic medications

Taking antipsychotic medication as prescribed is one of the best means pati ents have of managing psychotic symptoms and preventing relapse. Yet, for v arious reasons, patients may discontinue taking their medication or skip do ses, either occasionally or frequently. Among patients treated with convent ional neuroleptics, approximately 40% stop taking their antipsychotic medic ation within 1 year, and about 75% stop taking the medication within 2 year s. Although adverse effects play a large role in a patient's decision to di scontinue antipsychotic therapy, other factors also have an effect. Using t he health belief model, clinicians can assess the relative impact of variou s factors on medication adherence. This model posits that adherence to trea tment is determined by the patient's assessment of the perceived benefits o f treatment and risks of illness versus the costs of treatment (including a dverse effects such as weight gain). Other factors in the decision are barr iers to adherence and cues to act (i.e., reminders to take medication). Pat ients who believe the risks of treatment outweigh the benefits are likely t o discontinue their medication and are candidates for intervention to incre ase adherence.