Indications for Use
Antipsychotic medications are approved to treat symptoms including Depression, Anxiety, Disorganized thinking, Impaired Concentrations, Delusions, Hallucinations and Sleep disturbances.
Goals of treatment with this drug should focus on improvement of quality of life, and reduced risk of negative behavior symptoms impacting you, or those around you.
Ongoing assessment of the benefits of therapy, compared to the potential risks, should be performed regularly to maximize the potential for positive outcomes.
It may take a few weeks before improvement is felt after beginning the medication. It is important to take your medication as the physician prescribes it.
Side Effects
Any medication may produce unwanted effects along with the desired results. Some side effects may appear even before any benefit from the medicine is experienced. If side effects do appear they may occasionally disappear with continued treatment. Examples of side effects with drugs in this class may include, but are not limited to: Fall in blood pressure with body position changes, Dizziness, Constipation, Weight Gain – Increased Appetite Sleepiness or sedation, Dyspepsia, Dry mouth, Tremor or twitching, including feelings of restlessness, Agitation, Back or joint pain, Irregular heartbeat Stuttering Amnesia, Sensitivity to the sun
ALL SIDE EFFECTS SHOULD BE REPORTED & DISCUSSED WITH THE DOCTOR
Warnings and Precautions
Blood Sugar Effect - Increases in blood sugar may occur and could be complicated by pre-existing diabetes.
Cerebrovascular Adverse Events - Events such as stroke, transient ischemic attack and even including fatalities, were reported in patients in trials of atypical antipsychotics in elderly patients with dementia- related psychosis.
Tardive Dyskinesia- This is a syndrome of potentially irreversible, involuntary, dyskinetic movements. It may develop in patients treated with antipsychotic drugs.
Drowsiness and Impaired Coordination- Because of possible drowsiness and some loss of muscle control, your ability to drive, operate machinery or perform other tasks requiring alertness and coordination may be impaired. For this reason, you should avoid such hazardous duties until you are familiar with the effects this medication has upon you. Do not take this medication with alcohol. Be aware that the effects of alcohol may be intensified.
Drug Allergy- Some people may be allergic to this medication. Symptoms may be skin rash, itching, sneezing, fever or swelling of the face and tongue. If you should experience any of these symptoms, call your physician immediately.
Pregnancy and Lactation- Women should notify their physician if they become pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Women should not breast feed infants while on this medication.
Body Temperature- Because of the potential impact of atypical antipsychotics on body temperature regulation, extreme caution must be used when doing any activity that could increase body temperature, such as exercising strenuously, exposure to extreme heat, or reduced fluid intake or dehydration.
The above information has been discussed with the patient, and/or guardian/conservator, if appropriate, who reports them to be understood and agrees to take the medication.
I acknowledge that I am responsible for following my physician’s recommendations and to do what is necessary to control and treat my condition.
I understand that the sole responsibility of my health and well being is in my hands in view of the above and that I cannot reasonably hold my physician responsible if I do not adhere to his recommendations and /or not take medications as I am instructed to do so.