What are they?

Antipsychotics are a group of medications that are mainly used to treat mental health diseases such as mania (caused by bipolar disorder is a condition where you feel high or elated) and schizophrenia. Sometimes called major tranquilizers, they can be used to treat severe anxiety and depression, used in symptoms of psychosis such as hallucination, delusion and thought disorders. There are two types of antipsychotics atypical (newer) and older antipsychotics both believed to be well tolerated.

Available Antipsychotic Medication

This group of medications (antipsychotics) are available as tablets, capsules, and as injections for parental administration in various brand and generic medications. Learn more about generic medications here.

Types or subtypes

In general, three types of antipsychotics are often referred to, these are atypical, typical and non/typical nor typical. There is also a fourth type considering Thiothiexene (Navane) in a class by itself.

Atypical antipsychotics

Are newer and include those such as risperidone (Risperdal), amisulpride, aripiprazole (Abilify), clozapine, olanzapine, quetiapine and others.

Typical antipsychotics

These are well established or first generation antipsychotics and include sulpride, chlorpromazine, flupentixol (Fluanxol) and others.

Non-atypical/non-typical class

These are lithium (Carbolith, Esalith, Lithobid), pimozide (Orap), moindone (Moban), haloperidol (Haldol), and loxapine (Loxitane)

What do they treat?

Antipsychotics are used in the management of mental health diseases such as mania and schizophrenia. They aid with symptoms such as:

• Hallucinations (The experience of hearing voices)
• Delusions (ideas that distress you and don't seem to be based in reality)
• Thought disorder (inability to think clearly )
• Manic depression/bipolar disorder ( extreme mood swings )
• Some can help with severe depression

Prescription or over the counter?

All antipsychotic medications require a prescription from the doctor. Some of this antipsychotics frequently obtained with a doctor’s prescription are:

Stopping antipsychotics

Do not suddenly stop the use of your antipsychotic medications without consulting your doctor, because the abrupt stoppage of this medication can led to dangerous consequences. To stop the medications you need to slowly reduce your need for it over a couple of weeks. Some of the symptoms involved with abrupt stoppage include; upset stomach, diarrhea, headache, vomiting, dizziness, irritability and difficulties sleeping.

Safety information

Side effects

Some of the side effects involved with the use of antipsychotics may include:

• Blurred vision
• Dry mouth
• Drowsiness
• Muscle spasms or tremors
• Weight gain

Contraindications

The use of any antipsychotic medication is contraindicated in any patient who is hypersensitive to any of the active ingredients or any ingredients used in the formulation.

• Antipsychotics are contraindicated in Nursing and Pregnant Women.

Warnings and precautions

Always remember to inform your doctor of any allergies or medical condition you may have, medications you are currently taking. If you are breastfeeding or pregnant and any other important health conditions you might have.

• Some antipsychotics must be avoided by patients suffering from diabetes or have a family history of elevated blood sugar. This is because they are have been associated with increase in blood sugar levels.
• The use of certain antipsychotic drugs on older people suffering from Dementia is not recommended.
• Antipsychotics should be used with care in patients with liver impairment.
• Should be used with caution in the elderly, start with small doses and gradually increase.