Has your doctor told you that a family member, a friend, or you yourself have bipolar disorder ? You may have heard of a type of medication called 'antipsychotic' among the types of medications that are prescribed. Some people may be a little scared when they hear this name. But what exactly does this medication do? Should you use it? Are there any side effects? Today, we will talk about all of this in a very simple way that you can understand.
Why are antipsychotic medications prescribed for bipolar disorder?
Simply put, this type of medication mainly helps control some of the severe symptoms that occur during a bipolar disorder flare-up. Just think, sometimes when this condition flares up, a person can...
- Seeing or hearing things that are not there (Hallucinations): Things like hearing someone talking that is not there, seeing images that are not there.
- Irrational beliefs ( Delusions ): Things like thinking you have special powers or believing that someone is conspiring against you.
- Manic states: Symptoms such as being overactive, sleeping less, spending money recklessly, and behaving recklessly.
In severe cases like these, antipsychotic medications are very important to quickly control the symptoms and calm the patient. Your doctor may recommend these for short-term or long-term use.
Also, some antipsychotic medications can help treat severe depression that occurs in bipolar disorder and prevent future recurrences of such manic or depressive episodes.
Sometimes doctors use these medications for insomnia, anxiety, and agitation. This is called 'off-label' use. This means that the medication is given to control other symptoms in addition to what it is primarily intended for.
This medication is often given in combination with a mood stabilizer (e.g., lithium). Since mood stabilizers take a while to work in the body, these antipsychotic medications can help control manic symptoms quickly in the meantime.
How does this medicine work?
This is a bit complicated, but let's keep it simple. There are brain circuits that control our thinking , mood, and perception. In bipolar disorder, the functioning of these circuits becomes unbalanced.
Antipsychotic medications work by rebalancing the activity of these circuits. Although exactly how this happens is still under investigation, it is clear that they can quickly control manic episodes.
Especially the newer generation of drugs, called atypical antipsychotics, work very quickly. These are great for controlling the reckless, impulsive behavior that occurs during mania. These drugs help people start thinking normally within a few weeks.
Commonly used antipsychotic medications
The following table lists several medications used to treat bipolar disorder. These include both generic names and brand names that are commonly found in our country.
| Generic Name of the Medicine | Brand Name Examples |
|---|---|
| aripiprazole | Abilify |
| asenapine | Saphris |
| cariprazine | Vraylar |
| clozapine | Clozaril |
| lurasidone | Latuda |
| olanzapine | Zyprexa |
| quetiapine | Seroquel |
| risperidone | Risperdal |
| ziprasidone | Geodon |
The most important thing: These are just a few examples. Only your doctor can determine the right medication and dosage for you or your loved one. Do not take the medication because someone else is taking it, or change the medication your doctor has prescribed.
Let's be aware of the side effects of these medications.
Like any medicine, these medicines can have side effects. But they don't happen to everyone. Only some people get them.
Common side effects
- Blurred vision
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness
- Muscle tremors or stiffness
- Weight gain
If you experience any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor about it. They may be able to control them by changing the dosage or switching to a different medication.
Special points to consider
Some antipsychotic medications can cause significant weight gain, high blood cholesterol levels, and an increased risk of diabetes mellitus. Therefore, it is very important to talk to your doctor about your risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes and get tested before starting these medications.
Don't stop taking your medication without consulting your doctor because you're afraid of side effects like these. Talk openly with your doctor about any discomfort you're experiencing. He or she will provide you with the most appropriate solution.
Also, you need to be especially aware of certain medications.
- Clozapine (Clozaril): Although this medication is very effective, it can rarely cause a serious side effect (low white blood cells), so you will need to have your blood tested weekly or every two weeks while taking the medication.
- Ziprasidone (Geodon): This medication may also be associated with a rare, potentially fatal skin reaction.
These things are not meant to scare you, but to educate you. Your doctor will take all of this into account when prescribing your medication.
Let's also learn about older antipsychotics.
Now, there are older antipsychotic medications that were used before the newer medications we've talked about (e.g., chlorpromazine, haloperidol). But these are no longer given as first-line treatment for bipolar disorder. The reason for this is that these older medications can have serious side effects.
It's called 'Tardive Dyskinesia' . This is a long-term condition where you have repetitive, involuntary movements like lip smacking, tongue sticking out, and facial grimacing. There is some risk of this with newer medications, but it's much less common with older medications.
However, for someone who is not responding to new medications or who is experiencing severe side effects, a doctor may decide to give this older medication under their supervision.
Take-Home Message
- Antipsychotic medications are an important class of medications used to control the severe symptoms of bipolar disorder, such as mania and psychosis.
- These are often used in combination with other medications, such as mood stabilizers.
- Side effects such as weight gain and drowsiness may occur. Therefore, it is very important to maintain regular contact with your doctor and undergo the necessary tests.
- Most importantly: Never stop taking your medication or change the dosage without first consulting your doctor. This can make your condition worse.
- Talk openly with your doctor about any discomfort you may be experiencing, even the slightest. He or she is always ready to help you.
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