Facilitating compliance with antipsychotic medication.

Noncompliance with medication is common among patients who have schizophrenia and is a leading cause of rehospitalization in this population. Both standard and subjective risk-factor assessments have been used to identify patients who are likely to refuse or discontinue treatment. Noncompliant patients who have schizophrenia commonly have been treated with potent D2 dopamine-receptor antagonists and therefore may have experienced extrapyramidal side effects. The newer antipsychotics (i.e., serotonin-dopamine antagonists) are efficacious in reducing the symptoms of schizophrenia without associated dysphoria and motor side effects. Clozapine and other newer antipsychotics may improve certain aspects of cognition. The improved psychiatric state and cognitive function may facilitate "involved compliance" as a result of increased insight, awareness, and judgment. These cognitive faculties allow patients to appreciate their improved state and take steps to maintain it. The periodic visits for blood monitoring mandated for clozapine therapy also facilitate the formation of a therapeutic alliance that allows the clinician to monitor compliance. Facilitating involved compliance this way among patients who have schizophrenia may reduce the cost of this disorder to society.