A study of healthcare professional views of factors affecting teenage adherence with antipsychotic medication

Antipsychotic medication is an effective treatment for first episode psychosis; yet 40% of patients do not take medication as prescribed.

Staff responding to the survey felt that young people were more likely to take medication if they felt it would make them better, prevent relapse and if they had a positive rapport with staff.

As in an adult population, side effects, particularly weight gain, sedation and muscular side effects, were expressed as a common reason for poor adherence.

The most important influences of poor adherence were poor insight, side effects of medication and a wish to exert personal control around medication decisions.

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