Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by the inability of affected individuals to accurately interpret reality, according to the Mayo Clinic. People with schizophrenia suffer from delusions, in which they fail to correctly process what they see and experience, and hallucinations, in which they see things or hear voices, says the Mayo Clinic. Other symptoms include disorderly thinking and disorganized behavior. Atypical antipsychotics are the best drug therapy for schizophrenia because they entail a lower risk of serious side effects relative to conventional antipsychotics.
Aripiprazole (Abilify)
According to Drugs.com, aripiprazole is a prescription antipsychotic for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults and adolescents 13 to 17 years old. The initial adult dose is 10mg to 15mg a day. After two weeks of treatment, your doctor may decide to increase this dose. For adolescents 13 to 17 years old, the initial dose is 10mg a day, and your doctor may later decide to increase to 15mg a day, says Drugs.com. Because schizophrenia is a chronic condition, you will probably need treatment over the course of your entire life. Side effects of aripiprazole may include nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, nervousness, sleeplessness, restlessness and tremors.
Risperidone (Risperdal)
Risperidone is an atypical antipsychotic that doctors prescribe for the treatment of schizophrenia, says the Mayo Clinic. You can take the oral tablet form of risperidone with or without food. Adults begin therapy with a dose of 2mg a day, and your doctor may increase this if necessary up to a maximum dose of 16mg a day. Adolescents between the ages of 13 and 17 begin with 0.5mg a day taken in the morning or in the evening. This may be increased as needed, up to a maximum dose of 6mg a day. The Mayo Clinic warns that risperidone may cause blurred vision, dizziness or drowsiness, and therefore you should assess how you react to it before you drive or operate dangerous machinery. Other side effects may include dry mouth, headache, increased length of sleep, sore throat and weight gain.
Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
According to MedlinePlus, olanzapine is an atypical antipsychotic that is prescribed for the treatment of the symptoms of schizophrenia. Olanzapine is supplied as an oral tablet that you take once a day with or without food. The initial adult dose is 5mg to 10mg a day and your doctor may adjust it up or down at weekly intervals. The maximum daily dose is 20mg.
MedlinePlus warns that olanzapine is not approved by the FDA for the treatment of cognitive disorders in older adults. Older adults who take an antipsychotic such as olanzapine have an increased risk of stroke or even death while on the medication. Serious side effects of olanzapine therapy include seizures, changes in vision, fast or irregular heartbeat, rash and difficulty breathing or swallowing. If you have any of these symptoms, you should contact your doctor immediately.
