After a schizoaffective disorder is diagnosed, a prophylactic medication is
administered in most cases. The second-generation antipsychotic drugs risperidone,
olanzapine, quetiapine and aripiprazole are the commonly prescribed drugs in the
prophylaxis of psychotic and affective symptoms. Risperidone is an appropriate
antipsychotic drug to treat schizophrenic and manic symptoms. Olanzapine has a safe
therapeutic effect and the lowest discontinuation rate. Quetiapine can be used to treat
schizophrenic and depressive symptoms. The long-acting injectable form of aripiprazole
is a prophylactic medication which enhances adherence to the pharmacotherapy.
Clozapine is a reserve antipsychotic drug for treatment-resistant psychoses. Under this
treatment, a 3 weekly blood cell count should be taken in order to exclude a decreased
white cell blood count. It is possible to combine second-generation antipsychotic drugs
with each other, for example risperidone and quetiapine. The schizoaffective disorder
should be treated with a prophylactic monotherapy, but second-generation antipsychotic
drugs could be combined with mood-stabilizing drugs, while lithium is given
preferentially in a bipolar form. Psychoeducation and a social integration are of great
importance in order to achieve a patients’ insight in the disease and to enhance their
adherence to the pharmacotherapy.
Keywords: Adherence to the drug, aripiprazole, carbamazepine, clozapine,
extrapyramidal symptoms, hyperprolactinemia, lithium, mood-stabilizing drug,
olanzapine, psychoeducation, prophylactic medication, quetiapine, risperidone,
second-generation antipsychotic drug, social integration, treatment-resistant
psychosis, valproic acid.
