Anti-psychotic Medications

South Africa · CPD courses & CPD points · Health Professionals

The information provided below is intended to provide basic information about mental health medications. It is not a complete source for all medications available and should not be used as a guide for making medical decisions.

Antipsychotic medicines are primarily used to manage psychosis. The word “psychosis” is used to describe conditions that affect the mind, and in which there has been some loss of contact with reality, often including delusions (false, fixed beliefs) or hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that are not really there). It can be a symptom of a physical condition such as drug abuse or a mental disorder such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or very severe depression. Antipsychotic medications are often used in combination with other medications to treat delirium, dementia, and mental health conditions, including:

• Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

• Severe Depression

• Eating Disorders

• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Antipsychotic medicines do not cure these conditions. They are used to help relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.

Older or first-generation antipsychotic medications are also called conventional "typical" antipsychotics or “neuroleptics”. Some of the common typical antipsychotics include:

• Chlorpromazine- Largactil (25-50mg TDS)

• Haloperidol- Serenace (0.5-5mg TDS)

Newer or second-generation medications are also called "atypical" antipsychotics. Some of the common atypical antipsychotics include:

• Risperidone - Rispedol, zoxadon (0.5-6mg)

• Olanzapine - Zyprexa (5-10mg)

• Quetiapine - Dopaquel, Seroquel (25-800mg)

• Aripiprazole - Abilify (5-15mg)

Typical and atypical antipsychotics both work to treat symptoms of schizophrenia and the manic phase of bipolar disorder.

Several atypical antipsychotics have a “broader spectrum” of action than the older medications and are used for treating bipolar depression or depression that has not responded to an antidepressant medication alone.

How do people respond to antipsychotics?

Certain symptoms, such as feeling agitated and hallucinating, usually go away within days of starting an antipsychotic medication. Symptoms like delusions usually go away within a few weeks, but the full effects of the medication may not be seen for up to six weeks. Every patient responds differently, so it may take several trials of different antipsychotic medications to find the one that works best.

Usually relapses happen when people stop taking their medication, or when they only take it sometimes, which is common as insight with these kinds of illnesses is limited and some people struggle to accept their diagnoses. This problem is further exacerbated by the social stigma of having a psychiatric illness as well as the perceived problem about taking ongoing medication. Some people stop taking the medication because they feel better or they may feel that they don't need it anymore, but no one should stop taking an antipsychotic medication without talking to his or her doctor. When a doctor says it is okay to stop taking a medication, it should be gradually tapered off— never stopped suddenly. Many people must stay on an antipsychotic continuously for months or years in order to stay well; treatment should be personalized for everyone.

What are the possible side effects of antipsychotics?

Antipsychotics have many side effects and risks, such as:

• Drowsiness

• Dizziness

• Restlessness

• Weight gain (the risk is higher with some atypical antipsychotic medicines)

• Dry mouth

• Constipation

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Blurred vision

• Low blood pressure

• Uncontrollable movements, such as tics and tremors (the risk is higher with typical antipsychotic medicines)

• Seizures

• A low white blood cell count

A person taking an atypical antipsychotic medication should have his or her weight, glucose levels, and lipid levels monitored regularly by a doctor as these may all be negatively affected by the medications.

Typical antipsychotic medications can also cause additional side effects related to physical movement, such as:

• Rigidity

• Persistent muscle spasms

• Tremors

• Restlessness

Long-term use of typical antipsychotic medications may lead to a condition called tardive dyskinesia (TD). TD causes muscle movements, commonly around the mouth, that a person can't control. TD can range from mild to severe, and in some people, the problem cannot be cured. Sometimes people with TD recover partially or fully after they stop taking typical antipsychotic medication. People who think that they might have TD should check with their doctor before stopping their medication. TD rarely occurs while taking atypical antipsychotics.