What are the side effects of the antipsychotic medication and give examples?

Side-effects of typical antipsychotics vary depending on the drug and may include drowsiness, agitation, dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, emotional blunting, dizziness, stuffy nose, weight gain, breast tenderness, liquid discharge from breasts, missed periods, muscle stiffness or spasms.

What is the possible long term side effect of antipsychotic medication?

Sustained antipsychotic treatment has been also consistently associated with lower mortality in people with schizophrenia compared to no antipsychotic treatment. Nevertheless, chronic antipsychotic use is associated with metabolic disturbance and tardive dyskinesia.

Are antipsychotics harmful?

Previous research has also shown that the use of antipsychotics may raise the risk of metabolic syndrome in patients with schizophrenia. Metabolic syndrome has, in turn, been associated with heart disease and diabetes.

Which antipsychotic medication has the least side effects?

Aripiprazole had less side- effects than olanzapine and risperidone (such as weight gain, sleepiness, heart problems, shaking and increased cholesterol levels).

What is the safest antipsychotic medication?

Clozapine and olanzapine have the safest therapeutic effect, while the side effect of neutropenia must be controlled by 3 weekly blood controls. If schizophrenia has remitted and if patients show a good compliance, the adverse effects can be controlled.

What are the two most common side effects of antipsychotic medications?

Side effects of antipsychotics can include the following.

  • Uncontrollable movements of the jaw, lips and tongue. This is known as tardive dyskinesia.
  • Uncomfortable restlessness, known as akathisia.
  • Sexual problems due to hormonal changes.
  • Sedation.
  • Weight gain.
  • A higher risk of getting diabetes.
  • Constipation.
  • Dry mouth.

What is the strongest antipsychotic medication?

Clozapine, which has the strongest antipsychotic effect, can cause neutropenia. A problem in the treatment of schizophrenia is poor patient compliance leading to the recurrence of psychotic symptoms.

Do antipsychotics shorten your life?

An analysis of 11 studies examining physical morbidity and mortality in patients receiving antipsychotics showed a shorter life expectancy in the patients compared to others by 14.5 years. The researchers attributed this to growing life expectancy overall, plus a gap in healthcare received by schizophrenia patients.

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