Side Effects of the
Medications Used to Treat Schizophrenia
All medications have side effects. Different medications produce different
side effects, and people differ in the amount and severity of side effects they
experience. Side effects can often be treated by changing the dose of the
medication, switching to a different medication, or treating the side effect
directly with an additional medication. Common inconvenient side effects of all
antipsychotic drugs used to treat schizophrenia include dry mouth,
constipation, blurred vision, and drowsiness. Some people experience sexual
dysfunction or decreased sexual desire, menstrual changes, and significant
weight gain. Other common side effects relate to muscles and movement problems.
These side effects include: restlessness, stiffness, tremors, muscle spasms,
and one of the most unpleasant and serious side effects, a condition called
tardive dyskinesia.
Tardive Dyskinesia is a movement disorder where there are
uncontrolled facial movements and sometimes jerking or twisting movements of
other body parts. This condition usually develops after several years of taking
antipsychotic medications and more predominantly in older adults. Tardive
dyskinesia affects 15 to 20 percent of people taking conventional antipsychotic
medications. The risk of developing tardive dyskinesia is lower for people
taking the newer antipsychotics. Tardive dyskinesia can be treated with
additional medications or by lowering the dosage of the antipsychotic if
possible. The symptoms of TD may persist even after the medication is
discontinued.
Low White Blood Cell Count (Agranulocytosis)
Clozapine was the first atypical
antipsychotic in the United States and seems to be one of the most effective
medications, particularly for people who have not responded well to other
medications. However, in some people it has a serious side effect of lowering
the number of white blood cells produced. People taking clozapine must have
their blood monitored every one or two weeks to count the number of white blood
cells in the bloodstream. For this reason clozapine is usually the last
atypical antipsychotic prescribed, and is usually used as a last line treatment
for people that do not respond well to other medications or have frequent
relapses.
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
This is a rare, but very serious, side effect. Signs to watch for are muscle
stiffness that occurs over one to three days, a high fever, and confusion. If
these symptoms occur, seek medical help immediately - take your relative to the
emergency room if you cannot reach his doctor.
Risperdal ~
Clozaril ~
Zyprexa ~
Seroquel ~
Geodon
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