What are the possible side effects of antipsychotic medications?
Because people with schizophrenia have to take their medications for a very long time, often for their whole life, it is very important to recognize and try to treat and side effects they may have from these medications. Of most concern are a group of side effects known as extrapyramidal side effects (EPS). EPS are much more of a problem with the older conventional antipsychotics. Antipsychotics can make patients feel slowed down and stiff, or shake with a tremor. They can also make people feel so restless that they walk around all the time and cannot sit still. Long-term use of antipsychotic medications can sometimes cause a side effect called tardive dyskinesia, which is a writhing movement often in the tongue or mouth. Fortunately, although there still are some EPS problems, the newer atypical antipsychotics are much less likely to cause EPS. After discharge. When patients are discharged from inpatient care, they are usually not fully recovered. This can be a difficult time with inc
