Beating Bipolar by Blake LeVine

Author:Blake LeVine
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ebook, book
Publisher: Hay House, Inc.
Published: 2012-07-10T16:00:00+00:00

Atypical Antipsychotics

Your doctor may put you on what’s called a second-generation (or atypical) antipsychotic. Drugs in this category are frequently ordered if you’re experiencing sudden or severe mania, or psychosis. They may also be prescribed to stabilize your mood until your other medication kicks in or in place of an anticonvulsant if none of them work. These drugs are excellent for mixed-episode relief.

Like first-generation antipsychotics, atypical antipsychotics work by blocking or lessening the action of serotonin and dopamine, two specific neurotransmitters or chemicals within nerve cells tasked with shuttling messages between the cells. They’re known catalysts in regulating mood and behavior. Atypical antipsychotics are more effective in calming mania than the first generation of these drugs. They’re also less likely to produce the abnormal Parkinson’s-type rigidity or movement issues often associated with the original medications. Unfortunately, they still can trigger side effects, including:

• Blurred vision

• Drowsiness

• Dizziness

• Menstrual problems

• Rapid heartbeat

• Skin rashes

• Sun sensitivity

If you’re taking an antipsychotic, your psychiatrist will want to monitor your blood regularly. Since these drugs can put you at risk for diabetes and high cholesterol by causing significant weight gain, your clinician will track your glucose and lipid levels. Also, in very rare instances, long-term atypical antipsychotic drug use can result in tardive dyskinesia, a condition marked by repetitive involuntary facial and body movements, such as rapid blinking, lip smacking, toe tapping, and torso contortions. Tardive dyskinesia can be triggered by other problems, but if you exhibit the symptoms, you need to report them immediately. Your psychiatrist will use many tests, including a blood count, to get a diagnosis. He or she also may monitor you as a matter of course to see that your body movements are normal.

Atypical antipsychotics are sold under several brand names based on their unique formulations. They include:

• Abilify (aripiprazole)

• Geodan (ziprasidone)

• Risperdal (risperidone)

• Seroquel (quetiapine)

• Zyprexa (olanzapine)

Atypical antipsychotics are usually taken orally several times a day. Abilify and Zyprexa are also available in injectable forms, which are administered deep into the muscle to quickly relieve the agitation associated with an urgent manic or mixed episode.

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