New schizophrenia drug added to Australian benefits scheme

Main Category: Schizophrenia
Article Date: 10 May 2004 - 0:00 PDT

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A leading mental health academic says people suffering from schizophrenia may benefit from a new treatment that is now included in the pharmaceutical benefits scheme.

Australian Mental Health Foundation chairman Professor Graham Burrows says the antipsychotic treatment, Abilify, has been used widely overseas and has been used in Australia for several months.

He says trials prove Abilify effectively treats schizophrenia and also minimises the common side effects of other treatments such as weight gain and sedation.

Professor Burrows says while Abilify still has some side effects, the new treatment may improve the quality of life for many people who suffer from the condition.

"It doesn't seem to have the side effects that the other drugs have like causing shakes and tremors and movements around the tongue and mouth so it seems to have some advantages on the older preparations," he said.

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