Antipsychotics
Antipsychotic drugs relieve psychosis symptoms, such as delusions and hallucinations. They are a popular psychiatric drug that treats schizophrenia and other related mental illnesses. These include bipolar disorder, Alzheimer’s disease, and depression, that usually show signs of psychosis as these diseases progress. It can also ease anxiety, stabilize mood, and reduce spasms linked to Tourrette syndrome.
Antipsychotic drugs regulate brain functions such as thinking, perception and mood. They also help relax the mind and pacify manic episodes immediately. For people diagnosed with bipolar disorder, these drugs are effective in addressing insomnia and agitation. They are also popularly used as a long-term treatment option for individuals with an adverse reaction to lithium and anticonvulsants.
Generally, there are two types of antipsychotics, typical and atypical drugs. Typical antipsychotics, or first-generation antipsychotics, affect dopamine levels. Meanwhile, atypical antipsychotics, or second-generation antipsychotics, have a broader spectrum of effects on an individual’s dopamine level than typical antipsychotics.
Some of the antipsychotic drugs available in the market are aripiprazole (Abilify), asenapine (Saphris), cariprazine (Vraylar), clozapine (Clozaril), lurasidone (Latuda), olanzapine (Zyprexa), quetiapine (Seroquel), risperidone (Risperdal), and ziprasidone (Geodon).
Common side effects of antipsychotic medications include blurred vision, dry mouth, drowsiness, muscle tremors, and spasms. Antipsychotics tend to affect neurological functions that have physical manifestations such as restlessness. Aside from these, specific antipsychotic medications may also cause significant weight gain and a rise in the cholesterol level. Taking antipsychotic drugs may also increase the risk of diabetes. Hence, individuals planning to take antipsychotic medication should consider underlying health factors such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes risk.
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