Concomitant use of multiple antipsychotics to treat Schizophrenia: Risk benefit analysis

Abstract

This article discusses about what schizophrenia and its symptoms are and what antipsychotics can be used to treat the disease. The main cause of schizophrenia is not found and some hypothesis and pathways for the disease is considered. The pathways and hypothesis shape the methods applied for the treatment of schizophrenia. Antipsychotics were introduced and these antipsychotics work by blocking some hyperactive receptors like that of dopamine, serotonin. Sometimes patients do not respond to monotherapy of antipsychotics therefore concomitant therapy of antipsychotics are given. This polypharmacy can be helpful in maintenance and treatment for resistant schizophrenia and for reducing side effects. Even though this seems beneficial, it comes with a lot of adverse effects and not all patients respond in the same way. There are not many studies available for the concomitant use of antipsychotics, so this article presents some of the benefits and side effects of the treatment.