Hello,
Thanks for choosing Healthcaremagic.
Schizophrenia is a chronic illness with remissions and relapses. Regular compliance with medications and other precautions are needed, as is needed with any other chronic illness like
hypertension and diabetes.
As per the information given by you... Amisulpiride and Quetiapine are the antipsychotics used primarily in the treatment of schizophrenia. Divalproex sodium is a
mood stabilizer, also used as adjuvant in schizophrenia. Trihexiphenidyl is used to counter the side effects of antipsychotics and
Hydroxyzine is used in psychiatry for treating anxiety.
Patient will have to continue taking antipsychotics for a longer time as these drugs also prevent future relapses. Rest of the medications can be tapered off by your
psychiatrist as per the patients condition. Also doses of antipsychotics can be reduced when patient's social and occupational functioning is optimal.
Regarding the weight gain Divalproex sodium, Quetiapine and also Amisulpiride can lead to weight gain.
For weight gain you can consult with your psychiatrist to try
Aripiprazole or
Ziprasidone which do not cause weight gain in most of the patients.
Also deitary modifications and regular exercise is must.
Exercise whatever done even walking should be brisk to cause sweating and should be increased gradually.
In diet apart from avoiding high calorie items, it is very important to have adequate breakfast and medium lunch, these 2 meals shouldnt be reduced much. Dinner has to be the reduced to a smaller meal of the day.
You can consult your psychiatrist for a more detailed advice or you can let me know if you need any more information.
Regards
DR. ASHUTOSH SINGH