mental health disorders
Antipsychotic Drugs
Side Effects of Antipsychotic Drugs
Antipsychotic drugs have significant side effects, which can include Drowsiness Muscle stiffness Tremors Weight gain Restlessness Some newer second-generation antipsychotic drugs have fewer side effects. The risk of tardive dyskinesia, muscle stiffness, and tremors is significantly lower with these drugs than with the conventional antipsychotics. However, some of these drugs seem to cause significant weight gain. Some also increase the risk of Metabolic Syndrome . In this syndrome, fat accumulates in the abdomen, blood levels of triglycerides (a fat) are elevated, levels of high-density cholesterol (HDL, the “good” cholesterol) are low, and blood pressure is high. Also, Tardive dyskinesiais a hyperactive involuntary movement disorder that can be caused by chronic antipsychotic drugs. It is more likely with first-generation than second-generation drugs. Tardive dyskinesia is characterized by puckering of the lips and tongue or writhing of the arms or legs. Tardive dyskinesia may not go away even after the drug is stopped. For tardive dyskinesia that persists, there is no effective treatment, although the drugsclozapineorquetiapinemay relieve symptoms a little. However, the drugvalbenazinehas been found to be effective in improving symptoms of tardive dyskinesia. People who must take antipsychotic drugs for a long time are checked every 6 months for symptoms of tardive dyskinesia. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome is a rare but potentially fatal side effect of antipsychotic drugs. It is characterized by muscle rigidity, fever, high blood pressure, and changes in mental function (such as confusion and lethargy). Torsades de Pointes Ventricular Tachycardia is a potentially fatal heart rhythm disorder that can be caused by several antipsychotics in both classes. These drugs include 