Cited by 333Medication Adherence and ComplianceSchizophrenia research and treatmentMental Health Treatment and Access

Why do psychiatric patients stop antipsychotic medication? A systematic review of reasons for nonadherence to medication in patients with serious mental illness

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Velligan, Dawn I, Sajatovic, Martha, Hatch, Ainslie, Kramata, Pavel, Docherty, John·2017·Patient Preference and Adherence

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Antipsychotic medication reduces the severity of serious mental illness (SMI) and improves patient outcomes only when medicines were taken as prescribed. Nonadherence to the treatment of SMI increases the risk of relapse and hospitalization and reduces the quality of life. It is necessary to understand the factors influencing nonadherence to medication in order to identify appropriate interventions. This systematic review assessed the published evidence on modifiable reasons for nonadherence to antipsychotic medication in patients with SMI. METHODS: Articles published between January 1, 2005, and September 10, 2015, were searched on MEDLINE through PubMed. Abstracts were independently screened by 2 randomly assigned authors for inclusion, and disagreement was resolved by another author. Selected full-text articles were divided among all authors for review. RESULTS: A qualitative analysis of data from 36 articles identified 11 categories of reasons for nonadherence. Poor insight was identified as a reason for nonadherence in 55.6% (20/36) of studies, followed by substance abuse (36.1%, 13/36), a negative attitude toward medication (30.5%, 11/36), medication side effects (27.8%, 10/36), and cognitive impairments (13.4%, 7/36). A key reason directly associated with intentional nonadherence was a negative attitude toward medication, a mediator of effects of insight and therapeutic alliance. Substance abuse was the only reason consistently associated with unintentional nonadherence, regardless of type and stage of SMI. DISCUSSION: Although adherence research is inherently biased because of numerous methodological limitations and specific reasons under investigation, reasons for nonadherence consistently identified as significant across studies likely reflect valid existing associations with important clinical implications. CONCLUSION: This systematic review suggests that a negative attitude toward medication and substance abuse are consistent reasons for nonadherence to antipsychotic medication among people with SMI. Adherence enhancement approaches that specifically target these reasons may improve adherence in a high-risk group. However, it is also important to identify drivers of poor adherence specific to each patient in selecting and implementing intervention strategies.

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  1. [54]Jonsdottir H Opjordsmoen S Birkenaes AB Predictors of medication adherence in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder Acta Psychiatr Scand 2013 127 1 23 33 22900964
  2. [55]Rummel-Kluge C Schuster T Peters S Kissling W Partial compliance with antipsychotic medication is common in patients with schizophrenia Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2008 42 5 382 388 18473256

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Authors
Velligan, D. I., Sajatovic, M., Hatch, A., Kramata, P., & Docherty, J.
Affiliations
  • The University of Texas at San Antonio Health Science Center (US)
  • Case Western Reserve University (US)
  • Ohio Department of Health (US)
Corresponding author
Velligan, Dawn I
Venue
Patient Preference and Adherence
Published
2017-03
Volume
Volume 11
Pages
449-468
ISSN
1177-889X (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2594212608
Cited by
333
References
77
Citations by year
2026: 28 · 2025: 32 · 2024: 41 · 2023: 45 · 2022: 39 · 2021: 48 · 2020: 45 · 2019: 31 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 7
FWCI
4.60
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Patient Preference and Adherence (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Scholarly Commons @ Case Western Reserve University (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • Dove Medical Press (Taylor and Francis Group) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
Funders
  • Otsuka America Pharmaceutical
  • Otsuka America
  • Otsuka Pharmaceutical
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Family Practice › Medication Adherence and Compliance
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Schizophrenia research and treatment
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
Keywords
antipsychotic drugs, medication non-adherence, severe mental illness, reasons for non-adherence, lack of insight, substance abuse, adverse drug reactions, cognitive impairment, intentional non-adherence, unintentional non-adherence, therapeutic relationship

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