Medication Typical antipsychotics , such as haloperidol, have been used to treat people with schizophrenia for over forty years. These work for 7 of out 10 people, but they may not treat all the symptoms of schizophrenia. Typical antipsychotics can cause unpleasant movement problems and other distressing side effects. These act in different ways to the older antipsychotics, and are less likely to cause the same unpleasant side-effects. However they do have different side effects of their own.
Schizophrenia has many different forms and everyone responds to treatment differently.
There are many different antipsychotics available - if one doesn't work for you, there may be another one that does You may need to try a few medications before you find the one that suits you. If you are having problems with your medication, or if you are having unpleasant or worrying side effects, speak to your doctor nurse or key worker. They can advise you on the implications of continuing or stopping your medication, and may be able to find a drug that suits you better. Antipsychotic drugs can take up to 3 months to work. If you do not feel any better after 3 months, ask your GP or psychiatrist if you can try another medication.