What are the uses and side effects of medication?
Antipsychotic medications are mainly divided into typical (the older type) and atypical (the newer type). The two types of medication are similar in their effectiveness at alleviating positive symptoms. Some of the side effects (eg. Drowsiness, dizzy etc) will appear when the patient first started taking medication, but will disappear gradually; other side effects (eg hand tremor, increase muscle tone, increase body weight etc) may appear later in the course of medication.
There are oral and depot medications. The effectiveness of medications can vary from person to person; the side effects experienced by individuals differ too. Therefore it usually takes some time to adjust dosage and types of medication. Medications often take effects from few weeks to few months (for alleviation of delusions and hallucinations), but the side effects can be apparent soon after starting the medication.
Older Medication (Typical Antipsychotic Drugs): General Uses and Side Effects
Name | Uses | Side Effects |
---|---|---|
Chlorpromazine (Largactil) Injection available |
|
Dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, increased appetite, weight gain, excessive sleepiness, extrapyramidal symptoms1, amenorrhea, galactorrhea, hypotension |
Fluphenazine Injection available |
|
Same as Chlorpromazine, with moreextrapyramidal symptoms1,but less likely to have excessive sleepiness, dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, hypotension |
Flupenthixol (Fluanxol) Injection available |
|
Same as Chlorpromazine, with more extrapyramidal symptoms1,but less likely to have excessive sleepiness, dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, hypotension |
Haloperidol (Haldol) Injection available |
|
Same as Chlorpromazine, with more extrapyramidal symptoms1,but less likely to have excessive sleepiness, dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, hypotension |
Trifluoperazine (Stelazine) |
|
Same as Chlorpromazine, with more extrapyramidal symptoms1,but less likely to have excessive sleepiness, dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, hypotension |
Sulpiride (Dogmatil) |
|
Same as Chlorpromazine, but less likely to have excessive sleepiness, dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, hypotension, extrapyramidal symptoms1 |
Newer Medication (Atypical Antipsychotic Drugs): General Uses and Sides Effects
Name | Uses | Side Effects |
---|---|---|
Olanzapine (Zyprexa) |
|
Fewer side effects, but may cause excessive sleepiness, weight gain, hypotension, dry mouth, blurred vision; often lead to weight problem, increased blood glucose, hyperlipidemia |
Risperidone (Risperdal) Injection available |
|
Same as Chlorpromazine, but less severe. Often lead to weight gain, increased blood glucose and hyperlipidemia |
Quetiapine (Seroquel) |
|
Hypotension, excessive sleepiness, dry mouth, constipation, weight gain, dizziness |
Ziprasidone (Zeldox) |
|
May lead to cardiac dysrhythmia Less impact on weight |
Clozapine (Clozaril)* |
|
Often lead to weight gain, increased blood glucose and hyperlipidemia; few patients may have decreased number of white blood cells, blood tests will have to be carried out regularly, and careful monitor is needed; other side effects include excessive sleepiness, weight gain, drooling and epilepsy |
Aripiprazole (Abilify) |
|
Excessive sleepiness, weight gain |
Amisulpride (Solian) |
|
Often lead to weight gain, increased blood glucose level and hyperlipidemia |
Annotation1
Extrapyramidal symptoms include muscular spasms of the mouth, tongue or other body parts, stiffened face and limbs, tremor of hands and legs, impatience, motor restlessness, and acute dystonic reactions (i.e. eyes rolling back, neck bending backward).
If you would like to learn how to handle deal with side effects, please click here.