Psychotropic medications are drugs used to treat mental disorders such as depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, psychotropic, like any other drugs, have side effects. Factors that cause increased risk of side effects from psychotropic drugs include decreased kidney and liver function, concurrent use of other medications, taking high doses of psychotropic drugs and longer duration of use.
Antipyschotics
Antipsychotics are psychotropic drugs used to treat schizophrenia and psychotic symptoms present with mood disorders. Antipsychotics are categorized into typical and atypical drugs. Common side effects of antipsychotics include photosensitivity, dry mouth, constipation, orthostatic hypotension, rapid heartbeat and urinary retention. Patients should chew gum or sip water to relieve dry mouth and also wear sunscreen to prevent sunburns. Typical antipsychotics cause problems with movement such as restlessness, muscle spasms, rigidity, facial grimacing and tremors.
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, long-term use of typical antipsychotics causes an incurable condition known as tardive dyskinesia. Tardive dyskinesia is characterized by involuntary movements especially of the lower face. Symptoms of tardive dyskinesia include tongue protrusion, facial grimacing, lip smacking and rapid eye blinking.
Atypical antipsychotics cause weight gain, high cholesterol and diabetes. Patients' blood glucose and cholesterol levels are monitored while they are taking atypical antipsychotics. Clozapine, an atypical antipsychotic, causes a decreased production of white blood cells which can lead to infections. Monitoring of blood work is necessary for patients taking clozapine.
Antidepressants
The National Institute of Mental Health states that antidepressants are drugs used to treat mood disorders. Tryclic antidepressants cause side effects such as dry mouth, urinary retention, memory loss and blurred vision. Selective reuptake inhibitors cause headache, dizziness, drowsiness, insomnia diarrhea, nausea and sexual dysfunction. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors or MAOIs are used less than other antidepressants due to diet restrictions. Patients taking MAOIs should avoid food containing tyramine as the combination of MAOIs and tyramine can lead to severe high blood pressure and stroke
Antianxiety Drugs
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, antianxiety drugs may cause drowsiness, dizziness, sedation, confusion, orthostatic hypotension, dry mouth and blurred vision. Patients should avoid driving cars until they become aware of the effect of benzodiazepines on their bodies. Patients should also be careful when changing positions because benzodiazepines cause a sharp drop in blood pressure with position changes, particularly standing up from reclining, which can lead to lightheadedness and fainting. Antianxiety medications may cause problems with addiction and are only used for a short duration to treat anxiety disorders.
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