Medications For Psychosis - Mindspedia

General information Medications for pyschosis are called ‘antipsychotics’. Psychosis is a condition in which the functioning of a person’s brain is severely disrupted, affecting their thoughts, perceptions, emotions and behaviour. A person experiencing psychosis will have confused thoughts and speech, and difficulty in distinguishing reality. Antipsychotic medications are used for treating schizophrenia, schizophreniform psychosis, schizoaffective disorder, substance-induced psychosis and other conditions where psychotic symptoms (ie. hearing voices, hallucinations, confused thinking or delusional ideas) are present. Interactions between prescribed medications and other drugs such as alcohol and illicit drugs is often unpredictable. Report to the doctor if illicit drugs are being used. The medication may take a few weeks to work so it is important for people to continue with the treatment even when they think it may not be working. A medication should be taken for at least three weeks before a change is considered, unless severe, adverse reactions necessitate discontinuation. Maximum improvement may take several months. Other medications may be prescribed with the antipsychotic to assist with the treatment of additional symptoms or side effects.

Typical (Conventional) antipsychotic medications Oral Generic name Common brand names · chlorpromazine Largactil · haloperidol Serenace · pericyazine Neulactil · pimozide Orap · thioridazine Aldazine · thiothixene Navane · trifluoperazine Stelazine · zuclopethixol Clopixol

Long-term injectables (often used for people under a Community Treatment Order)

Generic name Common brand names · flupenthixol decanoate Fluanxol · fluphenazine decanoate Modecate · haloperidol decanoate Haldol · zuclopethixol decanoate Clopixol Some possible side effects and precautions Side effects include constipation, dry mouth, blurred vision, dizziness (especially after standing up quickly), difficulty in urinating, rapid heart rate, weight gain, allergic reactions, impaired alertness, drowsiness or sedation, breast enlargement and/or tenderness, and a change in menstrual cycle for women. Breast enlargement/ engorgement or tenderness can also occur in men. These medicines can also cause movements such as motor restlessness, tremor, muscle stiffness or rigidity and muscle jerking, also eye rolling and other involuntary body movements. These are managed with a range of side-effect medications (see below). Long term use of these medicines can result in tardive dyskinesia which is a syndrome of involuntary movements, especially around the mouth. The involuntary movements include lip puckering, chewing movements and tongue protusion, involuntary leg jiggling, or movement of neck, trunk, or pelvis. Contact your doctor if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.

Atypical antipsychotic medications Oral Generic name Common brand names · amisulpride Solian · aripiprazole Abilify · clozapine Clozaril,Clopine · olanzapine Zyprexa · risperidone Risperdal · quetiapine Seroquel · ziprasidone Zeldox

Long-term injectables Generic name Common brand names · risperidone Risperdal Consta

Medications for side effects

(also called anticholinergic medications or antiparkinsonian agents)

General information

These are used to treat the involuntary muscle effects of antipsychotic medications. Many involuntary symptoms include:

• loss of facial expression;

• lack of drive to initiate movement;

• feelings of restlessness in the muscles – can’t stay still;

• muscle stiffness or rigidity;

• muscle jerks or spasms.

Generic name Common brand names

· benzhexol Artane

· benztropine Benztrop, Cogentin

Side effects of these medications can include dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, drowsiness, difficulty in urinating and worsening of glaucoma.

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Reference:

1. Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria - www.mifellowship.org

2. Mental Health Research Institute - www.mhri.edu.au

3. National Alliance of the Mentally Ill (NAMI) (USA) - www.nami.org

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