Schizophrenia is a disorder of the mind in which the person becomes disorganized in his thoughts. This makes it difficult for him to engage in conversation and to socialize. It affects the ability to work as well. Schizophrenia usually begins before the age of 45 and may continue throughout a person's life even with treatment, the National Institute of Mental Health states. Psychotherapy as well as drugs are used for the treatment of schizophrenia.
Aripiprazole
The drug generically named aripiprazole, marketed in the United States as Abilify and Abilify Discmelt, is used in the treatment of schizophrenia. It is an antipsychotic medication. It also may be used to treat aggression and temper tantrums in children. This medication is used to change the chemical makeup within the brain which then decreases psychosis. The most common serious side effects of aripiprazole may include speaking difficulties, a loss of balance, walking with a shuffle and uncontrollable facial movements. These problems should be reported to a doctor.
Clozapine
Known generically as clozapine, this medication sold in the United States as FazaClo and Clozaril also may be prescribed as part of the treatment regime of schizophrenia if it is considered severe. An antipsychotic medication, it typically is tried only after other drugs have failed to achieve the desired results. It also works in the brain and decreases events of psychosis. Clozapine also may help to reduce the risk of suicidal behaviors associated with schizophrenia. Serious common side effects of the drug may include abnormal weakness and fatigue, vision blurring, hypotension or low blood pressure, mental confusion and trembling. Any of these should be reported immediately to the psychiatrist or doctor who prescribed it.
Iloperidone
Sold as Fanapt Titration Pack or just Fanapt in the United States, the generically named drug iloperidone is another potential medicine in the fight against schizophrenia. It, too, is an antipsychotic medication that works in the brain to rectify psychotic disorders. It is administered as a pill. The most common serious side effects the person taking iloperidone may experience are arrhythmias. Arrhythmias are a disruption in the normal function of the heart. She may feel her heart is racing if she has the arrhythmia called tachycardia. She also may have a heartbeat that is irregular, or she may feel her heart is pounding, a condition called palpitations. Because all of these problems are serious, the Mayo Clinic recommends consulting her medical professional for aid.
Ziprasidone
The antipsychotic medication generically named ziprasidone is marketed in the United States with the brand name Geodon. It may be prescribed for schizophrenic patients or for those suffering from other mental problems. Common serious side effects of ziprasidone are similar to those of clozapine, such as speaking problems and unintended bodily movements. It also may induce nervousness or fear and restlessness. It may prevent the schizophrenic from being able to sit still.
Paliperidone
Another antipsychotic medicine used in the treatment of schizophrenia is known as paliperidone generically and by the brand-name drug Invega. It works the same way as other antipsychotic medications in that it functions in the brain to rectify the problems causing the mental illness. The most common side effects of this drug are breast swelling, blurred vision, dizziness and weight gain, among others.
