medications
More Serious Side Effects
Introduction
While many of the side effects associated with the drugs we use to treat schizophrenia are benign and easily managed, some are not. Some simply represent more severe forms of commonly occurring and easily managed side effects. Others are distinct from common side effects and have the potential for serious consequences.
Anticholinergic Side Effects
Anticholinergic side effects may become more than a nuisance. Dry mouth may increase cavities or lead to ulcers of the gums or cheeks. Involvement of the eye may complicate “narrow-angle glaucoma”. Rarely, they can lead to seizures, coma or death. See Anticholinergic Side Effects for a more complete discussion.
Type II Diabetes
It is well known that obesity substantially increases our risk for this illness. The American Diabetes Association determined in 2005 that obesity is found in 90% of the developed world’s patients who have Type II diabetes. Recent data also confirms that exposure to antipsychotic medication further increases this risk, even in patients who are not obese. Furthermore, schizophrenia itself increases the risk for developing this disease.
Prolactin
Changes in prolactin levels may increase the risk for breast cancer.
Tumors
Antipsychotic medications may be associated with microscopic benign pituitary tumors.
Electrocardiographic Changes
Some of these drugs seem to change the QTc interval, a measurement of an interval on an EKG (electrocardiogram) tracing. A prolongation of this interval may be associated with a potentially dangerous irregularity in a patient’s heart beat, torsade de pointes.
Tardive Dyskinesia
Tardive Dyskinesia is a movement disorder, a chronic form of EPSE, that can be permanent. It results from exposure to “neuroloptic” medication (antipsychotics and other drugs). The relative risk for developing this disorder depends upon the potency of the drug used, the dose, and the duration of exposure. Some medications demonstrates lower risks for this disorder, particularly some of the newer, atypical agents.
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome is also associated with these drugs.
(Sources: The author’s knowledge base, unless otherwise noted.)
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