Archive

Depot medication is a way of taking medicine as an injection (usually into the buttock by a doctor or nurse), rather than as a tablet or in liquid form, and which releases the drug slowly over several weeks.

In the mid-1950s, several drugs appeared that could reduce the symptoms of schizophrenia. They became known as "antipsychotic" medicines. These older drugs are called "typical" antipsychotics. They work by reducing the action of a chemical messenger in the brain called dopamine. Currently, depot injections are only available using these older, "typical" antipsychotics.

However, depot injections can have side-effects. These include: pain where the needle goes into your skin, especially for a few days after each injection; feelings of restlessness; dizziness when standing up; putting on weight; eyes becoming blurry; and stiffness in arms, legs, neck or mouth. After several years of taking anti-psychotic medicine the client may start to have twitches around the mouth (called "tardive dyskinesia").

However, medication is only the first step, making it possible for other kinds of help. Support from families and friends, other forms of treatment and services such as supported housing, day care and employment schemes, also play a crucial part in recovery. Counselling also has a very valuable role, in association with antipsychotic drug treatment, by helping to overcome some of the consequences of the illness; for example by improving social skills and in coming to terms with those that cannot be changed.

For more information try www.sane.org.uk or the Royal College of Psychiatrists at www.rcpsych.ac.uk/info/factsheets/pfacdepot.htm