Medications for schizophrenia: Types, side effects, and more Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe What are the best medications for schizophrenia Medically reviewed by Yalda Safai, MD, MPH — By Jenna Fletcher on August 30, 2022Schizophrenia is a serious mental health condition that requires lifelong treatment to manage. However, with proper medications, a person can live a fulfilling life. Doctors typically use a class of medication known as antipsychotics to treat schizophrenia. These medications help reduce the number and severity of symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions. To help with therapy, a doctor may also prescribe mood stabilizers and antidepressants. These may provide additional benefits and help reduce other symptoms of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Schizoaffective disorder is when a person has mood symptoms, either depressed or manic, along with schizophrenia. Learn more about the similarities and differences between schizoaffective disorder and schizophrenia. This article reviews the medications doctors typically prescribe for schizophrenia, their potential side effects, and more. Overview Share on PinterestIon-Bogdan DUMITRESCU/Getty ImagesSchizophrenia is a potentially serious mental health condition that affects how a person feels, thinks, and behaves. It can cause serious disturbances to someone’s social, work, and home life. However, with proper treatment, an individual can live a fulfilling, independent life, attend school or work with no issues, and maintain relationships with others. Several medications may help with treating schizophrenia. Health experts divide them into several broad types, which include:antipsychotics, which help manage psychosis relating to schizophreniamood stabilizers, which may help prevent manic-type behaviorsantidepressants, which help prevent depressive episodes Antipsychotics Antipsychotics are the first line of treatment for schizophrenia. These medications help prevent psychosis, a condition that makes it difficult for a person to determine what is real and what is not. Schizophrenia can cause psychosis, which can include symptoms such as:Hallucinations: When a person hears, sees, tastes, feels, or smells something that is not there.Delusions: When someone has strong beliefs in something with no basis in reality. Movement disorder: When a person moves in an atypical manner. Thought disorder: When an individual has trouble concentrating, thinking, and speaking in a coherent manner. Antipsychotics work by controlling the levels of dopamine and serotonin in the brain. These chemicals affect a person’s mood, how they move, and how they experience rewards. In many cases, symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions, will go away within a few weeks of starting antipsychotics. Types Antipsychotics break down into conventional and atypical. Doctors have prescribed conventional antipsychotics for years, but these may cause several side effects. Atypical antipsychotics are newer forms of medication that have a lower risk of serious side effects compared with conventional antipsychotics. However, they can cause other side effects. Examples Conventional antipsychotics for schizophrenia include:chlorpromazinehaloperidolfluphenazine Atypical antipsychotic examples include:quetiapinearipiprazolerisperidone Side effects Both conventional and atypical antipsychotics can cause side effects. Conventional antipsychotics may cause the following:tremorsdystonia, or involuntary muscle contractions tardive dyskinesia, which causes uncontrollable muscle movements, often from long-term use Additionally, atypical antipsychotics may cause changes in metabolism, which could increase the risk of diabetes or weight gain and kidney or bladder issues.Learn more Learn more about medications for schizophrenia. MNT investigates: Second-generation antipsychotic drugs for schizophrenia.How effective is Risperdal at treating schizophrenia?Does CBD oil help schizophrenia? Mood stabilizers Doctors often prescribe mood stabilizers to treat bipolar disorder. They can use them off-label to treat mood disorders associated with schizophrenia. In schizophrenia, mood stabilizers may help with mood symptoms due to psychosis. However, studies have shown they may not be effective for everyone. People often need to combine them with other medications for them to work. According to a 2020 study, little evidence suggests they are beneficial for treating mood symptoms relating to schizophrenia, but doctors continue to prescribe them. The authors suggest additional research is necessary to assess the benefits versus the risks of using the medications for schizophrenia. Types There are two types of mood stabilizers for schizoaffective disorder, which include lithium and valproic acid. Doctors will typically prescribe these with additional medication. Examples Two examples of mood stabilizers for schizoaffective disorder include lithium and valproic acid, and both come in different types and dosages. A doctor will determine what dose may work best for a person. There are many other types of mood stabilizers. A person should speak with a doctor to discuss which one is most appropriate for them. Side effects Both lithium and valproic acid can cause side effects. Lithium can cause side effects such as:diarrheaheadacheshand tremorsnausea or vomitingincreased urinationdizziness or drowsinesschanges in appetitean acne-like rashdry mouthincreased thirsthair loss or thinning hair Valproic acid can cause several common side effects that can include:headacheabdominal paindizzinessnausea and vomitingdiarrheadizzinesstremoralopeciaconstipationinsomniadepressionrashtinnitusblurred vision Both medications can cause more serious side effects, though they are less common. A person should talk with their doctor if they notice any unusual symptoms after starting the medication. Antidepressants Certain antidepressants may improve negative symptoms relating to schizophrenia. These negative symptoms can include:difficulty showing emotionsa loss of motivationdifficulty functioning typicallya loss of interest or enjoyment in daily activitieswithdrawal from social life According to a 2020 study, little evidence suggests antidepressants are beneficial for treating schizoaffective disorder. Still, doctors continue to prescribe them as an add-on therapy. The researchers suggest additional research is necessary to assess the benefits and risks of these medications for schizophrenia. Types Though there are several different types of antidepressant medications, doctors often prescribe selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to treat people with schizophrenia. These medications help regulate the amount of serotonin in the brain to help improve mood. Examples Some examples of SSRI inhibitors include:Paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva)Citalopram (Celexa)Fluoxetine (Prozac)Escitalopram (Lexapro)Sertraline (Zoloft) Side effects Some common side effects of antidepressants for schizophrenia can include:tirednessweight gainnausea vomitingsexual problems diarrhea Other treatments Medication can help a person with schizophrenia, but it may not be enough in all cases. A person will likely benefit from a multifaceted approach incorporating additional therapies and support. Some nondrug treatments a doctor may recommend may include:Psychosocial therapies: These can include cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive remediation interventions, behavioral skills training, or supported employment.Support groups: A healthcare professional may be able to direct a person to local support groups for those with schizophrenia, their family, and friends.Assertive community treatment: This can help prevent repeated hospitalization and homelessness.Coordinated specialty care: This can often help with the first episodes of psychosis and getting a person back into their everyday life. If a person needs help managing their mental health, they can visit the National Institute of Mental Health website to search for local therapists. Summary Schizophrenia involves episodes of psychosis. Antipsychotic medications can help limit and reduce the severity of these symptoms and help a person live a fulfilling life. Additional medications, such as mood stabilizers and antidepressants, may also help treat additional symptoms of schizophrenia. Therapy and support programs can also offer additional treatment avenues to a person with the condition. Last medically reviewed on August 30, 2022Mental HealthSchizophreniaPsychology / PsychiatryDrugs 8 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Heinz, M. V., et al. (2022). Association of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor use with abnormal physical movement patterns as detected using a piezoelectric accelerometer and deep learning in a nationally representative sample of noninstitutionalized persons in the US. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2790799Lithium. (2021). https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Treatments/Mental-Health-Medications/Types-of-Medication/LithiumMedication for schizophrenia. (n.d.). https://nyulangone.org/conditions/schizophrenia/treatments/medication-for-schizophreniaNath, M., et al. (2022). Mood stabilizers. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556141/Nayak, R., et al. (2021). Mood stabilizers in psychiatric disorders and mechanisms learnt from in vitro model systems. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8431659/Puranen, A., et al. (2020). Use of antidepressants and mood stabilizers in persons with first-episode schizophrenia. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00228-020-02830-2Rahman, M., et al. (2022). Valproic acid. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559112/Schizophrenia. (2022). https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/schizophreniaFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Yalda Safai, MD, MPH — By Jenna Fletcher on August 30, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageBipolar and schizophrenia symptomsMedically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, PhD, PsyD Bipolar disorder and schizophrenia have some similarities, but there are key differences. Diagnosis and treatment options vary. Here, learn more about…READ MOREWhat is childhood schizophrenia?Medically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, PhD, PsyD Schizophrenia usually starts in adulthood, but it can sometimes affect children. Find out how to recognize it and the treatments available.READ MOREWhat is catatonic schizophrenia?Medically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, PhD, PsyD Catatonia is a set of symptoms that can develop in people with schizophrenia. It may involve periods of very little movement or response, coupled with…READ MOREWhat are the differences between drug-induced psychosis and schizophrenia? Drug-induced psychosis and schizophrenia can cause delusions and hallucinations, but doctors treat each condition differently. Learn more about the…READ MOREWhat are atypical antipsychotics?Medically reviewed by Jennie Olopaade, PharmD, RPH Atypical antipsychotics, also known as second-generation antipsychotics, generally have fewer and less severe side effects. Learn more.READ MORE