Enhancing the Treatment of Patients With Schizophrenia Through Continuous Care

Abstract

Schizophrenia is a chronic disorder that can be effectively controlled but will likely require lifelong treatment. Unfortunately, most patients experience numerous relapses, ongoing symptoms, and impairment, often because of treatment interruptions. Continuous treatment is imperative to prevent relapse and the potentially devastating consequences that can follow a return of psychotic symptoms. Clinicians must better monitor a common cause of relapse, nonadherence, and offer strategies to improve adherence. Strategies can target the patient, the environment, or treatment. One treatment-related strategy is the use of long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics, which have the potential to reduce relapse and rehospitalization for many patients with schizophrenia.