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ANTIPSYCHOTICS
A person who is psychotic is out of touch with same effect as a small amount of a "low-dose" reality. He may "hear voices" or have strange medication, such as haloperidol, why doesn't the and untrue ideas (for example, thinking that doctor just prescribe "low-dose" medications? others can hear his thoughts, or are trying to The main reason is the difference in their side harm him, or that he is the President of the effects (actions of the medication other than the United States or some other famous person).* one intended for the illness). These medications He may get excited or angry for no apparent vary in their side effects, and some people have reason, or spend a lot of time off by himself, or more trouble with certain side effects than in bed, sleeping during the day and staying awake at night. He may neglect his appearance, desirable. For instance, the sedative effect of not bathing or changing clothes, and may some antipsychotic medications is useful for become difficult to communicate with saying patients who have trouble sleeping or who things that make no sense, or barely talking at all. These kinds of behaviors are symptoms of Unlike some prescription drugs, which must be psychotic illness, the principal form of which is taken several times during the day, antipsychotic schizophrenia. All of the symptoms may not be medications can usually be taken just once a present when someone is psychotic, but some day. Thus, patients can reduce daytime side of them always are. Antipsychotic medications, effects by taking the medications once, before as their name suggests, act against these symptoms. These medications cannot "cure" the available in forms that can be injected once or illness, but they can take away many of the twice a month, thus assuring that the medicine is symptoms or make them milder. In some cases, being taken reliably. Most side effects of they can shorten the course of the illness as antipsychotic medications are mild. Many common ones disappear after the first few weeks of treatment. These include drowsiness, (neuroleptic) medications available. They all rapid heartbeat, and dizziness when changing work; the main differences are in the potency that is, the dosage (amount) prescribed to produce therapeutic effects and the side effects. antipsychotic medications and may have to Some people might think that the higher the change their diet to control their weight. Other dose of medication, the more serious the illness, antipsychotic medications include decrease in A doctor will consider several factors when sexual ability or interest, problems with prescribing an antipsychotic medication, besides menstrual periods, sunburn, or skin rashes. If a how "ill" someone is. These include the patient's side effect is especially troublesome, it should age, body weight, and type of medication. Past be discussed with the doctor who may prescribe history is important, too. If a person took a a different medication, change the dosage level particular medication before and it worked, the doctor is likely to prescribe the same one again. Some less potent drugs, like chlorpromazine Movement difficulties may occur with the use of (Thorazine), are prescribed in higher numbers of antipsychotic medications, although most of milligrams than others of high potency, like them can be controlled with an anticholinergic haloperidol (Haldol). If a person has to take a medication. These movement problems include large amount of a "high-dose" antipsychotic muscle spasms of the neck, eye, back, or other medication, such as chlorpromazine, to get the muscles; restlessness and pacing; a general and if it develops, whether the patient will slowing-down of movement and speech; and a recover. At present, there is no effective shuffling walk. Some of these side effects may treatment for tardive dyskinesia. The possible look like psychotic or neurologic (Parkinson's risks of long-term treatment with antipsychotic disease) symptoms, but aren't. If they are severe, or persist with continued treatment with benefits in each individual case by patient, an antipsychotic, it is important to notify the doctor, who might either change the medication or prescribe an additional one to control the side unwanted effects when taken in combination with other medications. Therefore, the doctor Just as people vary in their responses to should be told about all medicine being taken, antipsychotic medications, they also vary in their including over-the-counter preparations, and the extent of the use of alcohol. Some antipsychotic diminish in days, while others take weeks or medications interfere with the action of antihypertensive medications (taken for high improvement is seen by the sixth week of blood pressure), anticonvulsants (taken for treatment, although this is not true in every case. epilepsy), and medications used for Parkinson's If someone does not seem to be improving, a disease. Some antipsychotic medications add to different type of medication may be tried. the effects of alcohol and other central nervous system depressants, such as antihistamines, Even if a person is feeling better or completely antidepressants, barbiturates, some sleeping well, he should not just stop taking the medication. Continuing to see the doctor while tapering off medication is important. Some people may need to take medication for an extended period of time, or even indefinitely. These people usually have chronic (long-term, continuous) schizophrenic disorders, or have a history of repeated schizophrenic episodes, and are likely to become ill again. Also, in some cases a person who has experienced one or two severe episodes may need medication indefinitely. In these cases, medication may be continued in as low a dosage as possible to maintain control of symptoms. This approach, called maintenance treatment, prevents relapse in many people and removes or reduces symptoms for others. While maintenance treatment is helpful for many people, a drawback for some is the possibility of developing long-term side effects, particularly a condition called tardive dyskinesia. This condition is characterized by involuntary movements. These abnormal movements most often occur around the mouth, but are sometimes seen in other muscle areas such as the trunk, pelvis, or diaphragm. The disorder may range from mild to severe. For some people, it cannot be reversed, while others recover partially or completely. Tardive dyskinesia is seen most often after long-term treatment with antipsychotic medications. There is a higher incidence in women, with the risk rising with age. There is no way to determine whether someone will develop this condition,

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