Male Speaker: For the over 300,000 Canadians living with schizophrenia, there is now a new treatment option to manage their disease. Health Canada has approved ZELDOX for the treatment of schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders.
ZELDOX controls the symptoms of this chronic complex mental illness while appearing to cause fewer side effects than existing treatments, such as weight gain, which can increase the risk of developing diabetes and heart disease.
Dr. Ashok Malla: ZELDOX, the main difference is not in its efficacy; its the same efficaciousness as the other antipsychotics, but it doesn't cause weight gain and it does not cause sexual side effects.
Male Speaker: Dr. Ashok Malla is the Director of the Prevention and Early Intervention Program for Psychoses at the Douglas Mental Health University Institute in Montréal.
New research also reveals the extent of the stigma associated with the disease. In a survey of over 1,500 Canadians, over half would be uncomfortable having someone with schizophrenia spend the weekend in their home. 7 in 10 Canadians feel schizophrenia sufferers are not always treated the same way as people who are not afflicted with the disease.
The stigmatising side effects of other antipsychotic medications are a major reason that patients go off their medication. Controlling these side effects becomes a key element in a person's treatment.
Dr. Ashok Malla: What I think newer medications have been able to do; and if you have less side effects, is allowed patients to sort of live more normal lives to engage in rehabilitation, to have other therapies available to them.
Male Speaker: For more information about treatment options for schizophrenia, speak with your doctor.
Transcription by:
Scribe4you Transcription Services