New antipsychotic drugs known as atypical
antipsychotics have been used since 1990and have been shown to be more
effective than older antipsychotics, but the possibility of severe side effects
still exist. One of these side effects
is a loss of the white blood cells and requires monitoring with blood tests
every one or two weeks.
Newer antipsychotic
drugs are safer with lower incidences of movement related side effects, known
as tardive dyskinesia and they do not have the same risk of lowering the white blood
cells. Many of the atypical antipsychotics can cause side effects such as
weight gain; people with schizophrenia are often overweight
or obese. Obesity increases these patients’ risk for cardiovascular disease. Excessive
weight and obesity can have important effects on an individual’s adjustment in
the community, inability to participate in rehabilitation and are less likely
to participate in a treatment plan along with poor self-image.
The increasing reports
of Diabetes in people with schizophrenia are more than twice higher than in the
general population. There have been numerous case reports, studies, and investigations
into this disease to show that certain of these medications may be associated
with a greater risk of Diabetes than others.
The older antipsychotic drugs are effective in
treating some symptoms of schizophrenia, hallucinations and delusions; however these
drugs may not be as helpful with other symptoms commonly experienced such as reduced
motivation and flattened affect or emotional expressiveness. The older antipsychotics
medicines like Haldol or Thorazine may even mimic the side effects that are
similar to the symptoms of this disorder. It has been seen that lowering the
dose may reduce these side effects; the newer medicines have been shown to be
less likely to cause this problem.
The use if these medications that are highly
effective in the treatment of psychosis the
benefits of such medications still has to investigated to find he best
treatment plan with the least chance of side effects.