Schizophrenia is a severe and enduring mental health disorder. Treatment includes antipsychotic medication and psychological interventions. Medication can be administered as a depot injection; these treatments reduce the risk of relapse in some people with schizophrenia who have difficulties adhering to oral medication regimens. This article outlines the types of depot and medications that are available for the treatment of schizophrenia, and discusses the evidence base supporting their efficacy. The role of antipsychotic medication as part of a treatment plan should be reinforced by enabling patients to make an informed choice about which medication best supports their health and wellbeing.
Nursing Standard. 30, 33, 50-60. doi: 10.7748/ns.30.33.50.s45
Correspondence Peer reviewAll articles are subject to external double-blind peer review and checked for plagiarism using automated software.
Received: 11 April 2015
Accepted: 14 January 2016
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