Schizophrenia is a rather complex mental disorder whose causes are still unknown. The pharmacological treatment of this disorder is based on antipsychotic drugs, which provide symptom improvement and allow for a better pattern of social interaction. This paper presents a brief description of schizophrenia, followed by an analysis of present pharmacological interventions used in its treatment. The therapeutic and collateral effects of the main typical and atypical antipsychotic agents are described, and their mechanism of action is discussed. Finally, some aspects of the interaction between pharmacological treatment and psychotherapeutic intervention are discussed.
schizophrenia; neuroleptics; dopamine; atypical antipsychotics
