Antipsychotics

There are many responses to medication. One person may be able to tolerate recommended  doses and find them helpful and have no side effects, while someone else may find the same dose is not helpful and gives them horrible side effects. And still others who only find relief from a higher dose.

Antipsychotic drugs have a lot of side effects, many of which can be very unpleasant. And you may get them or you may not, and how much they bother you, depends on which drug you are on and your individual response.

Disturbances in movement side effects are caused by an interference to the brain chemical dopamine, which controls movement. This is caused mainly with the older antipsychotics and less likely with the newer drugs. Some of the common movement side effects can be the loss of movement, restlessness, muscle spasms.

Some side effects which resemble Parkinson, which is caused by the loss of dopamine are muscles become stiff and weak, so that your face may lose its animation, fine movement is difficult. a tremor, shaking, especially in your hands. hand movements as if rolling a pill, when you walk you lean forward, take small steps, and find it difficult to start and stop. Your mouth may hang open and you may dribble. There are medications which help people with Parkinson and can help with these side effects from antipsychotics.

You may find it difficult to move, and your muscles may feel very weak. You may feel intensely restless and unable to sit still. This can make you feel emotionally tense and uneasy. People with side effects from these medications often experience rocking from foot to foot, they shuffle their legs, cross or swing their legs repeatedly, or pace up and down continuously.  This symptom is called akathasia and can be treated with an additional medication.

Acute muscle contractions that are uncontrolled and may be painful. Some of these muscle spasms affect the muscles that control  eye movements, it makes the eyes turn suddenly, making you unable to control where you look. These symptoms can also be treated with the drugs that are prescribed to treat Parkinson’s disease . Many of the antipsychotics cause seizures if you have had seizures before you must inform you doctor before treatment begins..

Weight gain is a very common side effect with many antipsychotics. Most of the newer ones are known to cause this side effect. An increase in appetite and decrease of activity, but is also caused by changes in metabolism. Because of this dieting may not make much difference. Putting on a lot of weight may increase your risk of developing diabetes. There also is an increase of incidents of heart disease and stroke.

There are many side effects associated with the newer antipsychotics ad it is one of your responsibilities to investigate all of the side effects and make your choice in your treatment. With the different medications come the chance of developing side effects but whichever is effective for you takes time and are trial and error.

Taking in the beneficial results these medications have the risk of developing side effects may tip the scale in the direction of making that decision. All medications can be dangerous if used incorrectly .