| Schizophrenia and bipolar disorders are some severe | | | | Though it is a mental disorder, the drugs don't control |
| mental disturbances, which can impact an individual's | | | | the mind completely. There could be possible relapses |
| capability to react normally, in normal circumstances. | | | | of the disorder, which means individuals could only |
| This is where antipsychotic drugs play an important | | | | get completely cured with the love and support of |
| role. By taking these antipsychotic drugs, a person | | | | their families. |
| can function normally, thereby reducing the | | | | 5. The general belief about these drugs is that they |
| after-effects of schizophrenia. | | | | could cause addiction. This is quite contrary to what |
| Yet, a recent spate of FDA warnings to some | | | | these drugs show when taken, as they are not |
| reputed pharmaceutical companies has triggered of a | | | | addictive at all. These drugs are not sedatives, but |
| curious debate in the pharma industry. Are these | | | | they are drugs that diminish hallucinations and the |
| antipsychotic drugs a result of careless manipulation | | | | thought of having a psychotic episode. |
| of the quality procedures? Or, are these a victim of | | | | 6. It is important that individuals suffering from |
| FDA rules and regulations? | | | | psychotic episodes stick to the treatment course |
| Irrespective of the FDA warnings, here are 7 things | | | | provided to them. They must follow the medication |
| you should know about antipsychotic drugs and | | | | schedule, which could often get tough for |
| psychotic disorders | | | | schizophrenic patients. That said, patients can use a |
| 1. The antipsychotic drugs do help in curing disorders | | | | lot of strategies to help overcome this issue. The |
| like schizophrenia, but a permanent cure is definitely | | | | problem here is that patients who suffer from |
| not assured with these drugs. They do provide | | | | schizophrenia may not think they are suffering from |
| temporary relief, but a relapse of an attack is | | | | a disorder. It is here that physicians and family |
| certainly not ruled out, in any event. | | | | members play an important role, because the |
| 2. The dosage of these drugs is not uniform across | | | | treatment would really start when the individual |
| the board. Normally administered by only qualified | | | | realizes he is suffering from a mental disorder. |
| physicians for treating mental disorders, the dosage is | | | | 7. Importantly, individuals should also be aware of the |
| at best, individualized. | | | | side effects of taking these drugs. Normally, patients |
| 3. Clozapine was the first drug in this class, which was | | | | have reported suffering from drowsiness, muscle |
| introduced in 1990. As on date, Risperidone, | | | | spasms, tremors, weak feet and much more. In fact, |
| Quetiapine, Olanzapine and Aripiprazole are prescribed | | | | some people have said that the severity of the |
| by a lot of physicians. | | | | illness is probably more than what it was, before |
| 4. Schizophrenia can only partially be cured by drugs. | | | | they took to medication. |