Antipsychotics for Treating Schizophrenia

Antipsychotics are used to reduce anxiety and agitation that often happen in Reference schizophrenia Opens New Window. They can also reduce problems with thinking or remembering (Reference cognitive impairment Opens New Window) and reduce or control Reference delusions Opens New Window and Reference hallucinations Opens New Window (Reference psychosis Opens New Window).

Clozapine has been shown to help people who may be thinking about suicide. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved clozapine for treating suicidal behavior associated with schizophrenia or for treating severe schizophrenia that has not improved with other medicines. Its use for treating other symptoms of schizophrenia has not yet been approved in the U.S., except through special authorization. When you use this medicine, your name goes into the Clozaril National Registry so that if you have severe side effects, you are not given the medicine again.

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