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Mental health medicines — antipsychotics Mental health medicines — antipsychotics
Antipsychotic medicines are used to treat different types of mental illness such as:
- schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders
- bipolar disorder (also called manic depression)
- dementia (for example, Alzheimer’s disease), when it causes severe agitation or anxiety, delusions, or dangerously aggressive behaviour.
Antipsychotic medicines help with hallucinations, delusions and out-of-control thoughts. These are usually problems for people with schizophrenia, and can also affect those with bipolar disorder or other psychotic disorders. Antipsychotic medicines have a powerful calming effect and can reduce severe agitation and anxiety.
All antipsychotics act on chemicals in the brain (neurotransmitters), but each one has slightly different effects. It is hard to predict which medicine will be best for a particular person.
Antipsychotic medicines include amisulpride (brand names Solian, Sulprix), aripiprazole (Abilify), chlorpromazine (Largactil), clozapine (Clopine, Clozaril), haloperidol (Serenace), olanzapine (Zyprexa), paliperidone (Invega), quetiapine (Seroquel), risperidone (Ozidal, Resdone, Rispa, Risperdal, Rixadone), and ziprasidone (Zeldox).
If you or someone you know is taking an antipsychotic medicine, follow the links on the right for more information, including questions to ask your health professional.
More articles from NPS on antipsychotics
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| Title | Description | Type | Audience  |
Date* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Antipsychotic medicines and dementia: a fine balancing act |
NPS is warning people about the use of antipsychotic medicines in people suffering behavioural or psychological problems associated with dementia. Studies show that using these medicines for longer than necessary, especially in the elderly, can lead to serious side effects that can be life-threatening |
Media release | Others | 2011-11-17 19:00:00 |
Antipsychotic medicines: achieving the right treatment balance |
Up to 4% of Australians are affected by a mental illness such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder at some point in their lives, and many deal with distressing side effects such as weight gain from the antipsychotic medicines they take to treat their symptoms. While avoiding such side-effects altogether may not be possible, there are ways to make them more manageable. |
Media release | Others | 2012-01-11 19:00:00 |
Antipsychotic monitoring tool |
Lists recommended monitoring intervals and what you need to check for in patients taking antipsychotic medicines long term. Print (2 pages) and add this the patient's notes. |
Professional publication - NPS News | Health Professionals | 2011-08-24 00:00:00 |
Articles on antipsychotics from NPS RADAR |
Get independent, evidence-based info on antipsychotics. Written for doctors, pharmacists & other health professionals. |
Topic overview | Health Professionals | 2009-10-28 00:00:00 |
Clinical audit: Safe and effective use of antipsychotic therapy |
How are you managing your patients who require antipsychotics? Review 10 patients |
Professional activity - Clinical audit | Health Professionals | 2011-08-19 00:00:00 |
Asenapine (Saphris) for schizophrenia or bipolar I disorder (acute mania or maintenance) |
Information about asenapine sublingual wafers (Saphris) for schizophrenia and acute and maintenance treatment of manic and mixed episodes in bipolar I disorder. Asenapine has a similar spectrum of benefits and harms to that of other antipsychotics. |
Professional publication - NPS RADAR - Review | Health Professionals | 2011-12-01 00:00:00 |
Ask about the benefits and side effects of antipsychotics |
Latest independent information about Mental illness and antipsychotics and treatments written and reviewed by experts in Australia. |
Web page | Health Professionals,Consumers,Members & Stakeholders,Others,Research & Evaluation community | 2011-09-14 00:00:00 |
Long-acting intramuscular injectable form of paliperidone (Invega Sustenna) for schizophrenia |
Long-acting intramuscular injectable form of paliperidone (Invega Sustenna) for schizophrenia. |
Professional publication - NPS RADAR - Brief item | Health Professionals | 2011-12-01 00:00:00 |
Ziprasidone (Zeldox): another atypical antipsychotic listed for acute mania in bipolar disorder |
Information on use of ziprasidone (Zeldox): another atypical antipsychotic listed for acute mania in bipolar disorder |
Professional publication - NPS RADAR - Brief item | Health Professionals | 2009-04-01 00:00:00 |
Case study 47 report: Antipsychotic therapy for schizophrenia |
Patient diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia has been stable on olanzapine for past 8 months. Wishes to stop his olanzapine as concerned about significant weight gain. |
Professional activity - Case study report | Health Professionals | 2007-06-01 00:00:00 |
Case study 47: Antipsychotic therapy for schizophrenia |
Patient diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia has been stable on olanzapine for past 8 months. Wishes to stop his olanzapine as concerned about significant weight gain. |
Professional activity - Case study | Health Professionals | 2007-04-01 00:00:00 |
Case study 70: Antipsychotics |
Emily (28-years-old) was diagnosed with schizophrenia 9 months ago. She was prescribed an antipsychotic (risperidone) and in the last 6 months her dose has been stable. |
Professional activity - Case study | Health Professionals | 2011-08-01 00:00:00 |
Comparative information on antipsychotics |
Lists commonly used antipsychotics and incidences of common adverse effects |
Professional publication - NPS News | Health Professionals | 2011-08-24 00:00:00 |
Antipsychotics: programs and resources for carers and consumers |
Antipsychotic treatment-related websites and phonelines to support carers or consumers |
Professional tool - Prescribing software guide | Health Professionals | 2011-08-24 00:00:00 |
Antipsychotics for people with dementia and severe behavioural problems |
Latest independent information about Mental illness and antipsychotics and treatments written and reviewed by experts in Australia. |
Web page | Health Professionals,Consumers,Members & Stakeholders,Others,Research & Evaluation community | 2011-09-14 00:00:00 |
Do you know everything about your medicines? |
R U OK? Day, Sept 15 2011 — Support and info for mental health conditions — Tips for managing medicines and improving your health |
Campaign | Consumers | 2011-09-08 00:00:00 |
Drug use evaluation (DUE) of antipsychotic use for behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia |
Sample pages of drug use evaluation (DUE) for use of antipsychotic medicines for managing behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia in aged care homes. |
Professional activity - Drug Use Evaluation (DUE) for aged care facilities | Health Professionals | 2011-09-09 00:00:00 |
DUE of antipsychotic use in the management of dementia |
Information and login for the DUE for use of antipsychotic medicines for managing behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia in aged care homes. |
Professional activity - Drug Use Evaluation (DUE) for aged care facilities | Health Professionals | 2008-04-15 00:00:00 |
Clinical audit: Safe and effective use of antipsychotic therapy |
How are you managing your patients who require antipsychotics? Review 10 patients |
Professional activity - Clinical audit | Health Professionals | 2011-08-19 00:00:00 |
GPs urged to routinely assess benefits and harms for patients taking antipsychotics |
Psychotic disorders affect 4% of Australians. Those taking antipsychotic medicines to treat their condition not only bear the burden of disease, but also a significant burden of side effects from the medicines they take. Balancing the benefits and harms of these medicines for each individual represents a constant challenge for GPs |
Media release | Others | 2011-09-07 19:00:00 |
Latest edition of Australian Prescriber out now |
Antipsychotic medications, managing atrial fibrillation and pharmaceutical excipients are looked at in this edition of Australian Prescriber |
Media release | Others | 2011-08-01 19:00:00 |
Management of Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD): a Residential Aged Care facilities (RACF) nursing perspectives, Poster NMS 2010 |
Nursing perspectives on the management of Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) at Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACF). Aristidi S, Loo T. National Medicine Symposium, 26-28 May 2010, Melbourne, Australia |
Event - Conference poster | Health Professionals,Research & Evaluation community | 2010-05-28 00:00:00 |
Asenapine (Saphris) for schizophrenia |
Read unbiased info about asenapine (Saphris) for schizophrenia: side effects & benefits, who can use it & other treatment options. |
Consumer publication - Medicine Update | Consumers | 2011-12-01 00:00:00 |
Medicines that affect blood glucose levels - Independent medicine & health information |
View our tables of medicines that influence blood sugar (glucose) levels here. Some medicines can interact with your diabetes medicine insulin, be aware of the adverse affects and know the active ingredients. |
Web page | Consumers,Others,Research & Evaluation community | 2011-12-06 00:00:00 |
Medicines that affect blood glucose levels - Independent medicine & health information |
View our tables of medicines that influence blood sugar (glucose) levels here. Some medicines can interact with your diabetes medicines, be aware of the adverse affects & know the active ingredients. |
Web page | Consumers,Others,Research & Evaluation community | 2011-11-14 00:00:00 |
New Alzheimer's drugs |
Reviews evidence on efficacy of donepezil and rivastigmine in Alzheimer's disease, including side effects, and on managing behavioural disturbances in dementia using complementary medicine. Includes case study. |
Professional publication - NPS News | Health Professionals | 2001-06-01 00:00:00 |
Benzodiazepines and non-drug treatments for insomnia |
Covers benzodiazepine prescribing and the treatment of insomia. Compares non-drug treatments and herbal alternatives |
Professional publication - NPS News | Health Professionals | 2002-10-01 00:00:00 |
Atypical antipsychotics |
Reviews atypical antipsychotics, including indications for use, adverse effects, and dosage recommendations. |
Professional publication - NPS News | Health Professionals | 2007-04-08 00:00:00 |
Antipsychotics - balancing benefits and harms |
This NPS News discusses ways to achieve the most favourable balance of clinical benefits and adverse effects for people with a psychotic illness or behavioural symptoms of dementia. |
Professional publication - NPS News | Health Professionals | 2011-08-01 00:00:00 |
NPS Prescribing Practice Review 26: Drug use in the elderly |
Information on the principles of good prescribing in the elderly, including advice on managing sleep or behavioural disturbances using both non-drug and drug therapy interventions. |
Professional publication - Prescribing Practice Review | Health Professionals | 2004-07-09 00:00:00 |
Behavioural symptoms of dementia |
Information on managing behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia including advice on non-drug strategies, the use of antipsychotics and the monitoring and followup care required. |
Professional publication - Prescribing Practice Review | Health Professionals | 2007-04-01 00:00:00 |
Antipsychotic therapy - benefits and harms |
Reviews ways to achieve the best balance of clinical benefits and adverse effects for those with a psychotic illness or behavioural symptoms of dementia |
Professional publication - Prescribing Practice Review | Health Professionals | 2011-08-25 00:00:00 |
Nurse Update September 2011 |
Support patients on antipsychotics — Assist those with chronic conditions — Medicine additives and adverse effects — NPS Medicines List iPhone app — New bilingual consumer factsheet |
Professional publication - Nurse Update | Health Professionals | 2011-09-13 00:00:00 |
Olanzapine depot injection (Zyprexa Relprevv) for schizophrenia |
Information about use of olanzapine depot injection (Zyprexa Relprevv) for schizophrenia |
Professional publication - NPS RADAR - Review | Health Professionals | 2009-12-01 00:00:00 |
Options for improving your health |
R U OK? Day, Sept 15 2011 — Support and info for mental health conditions — Tips for managing medicines and improving your health |
Campaign | Consumers | 2011-09-08 00:00:00 |
NPS Prescribing Practice Review 26: Drug use in the elderly |
Information on the principles of good prescribing in the elderly, including advice on managing sleep or behavioural disturbances using both non-drug and drug therapy interventions. |
Professional publication - Prescribing Practice Review | Health Professionals | 2004-07-09 00:00:00 |
PRN antipsychotic use in Residential Aged Care – effects of an educational intervention to support those who have to make decisions on what is given and when, Abstract NMS 2010 |
Effects of a training model in aged care which utilises the principles of academic detailing on staff knowledge and utilisation of PRN antipsychotic medicines. Rowett D, Edwards S, Heaney A, Greene R, Rossi S, Pavelic S, Simmons S, Logan D, Allin R. National Medicine Symposium, 26-28 May 2010, Melbourne, Australia |
Event - Conference abstract | Health Professionals,Research & Evaluation community | 2010-05-28 00:00:00 |
Problems managing medicines or Problems managing medicines or treatments?other treatments? |
R U OK? Day, Sept 15 2011 — Support and info for mental health conditions — Tips for managing medicines and improving your health |
Campaign | Consumers | 2011-09-08 00:00:00 |
R U OK with your medicines? |
R U OK? Day, Sept 15 2011 — Support and info for mental health conditions — Tips for managing medicines and improving your health |
Campaign | Consumers | 2011-09-08 00:00:00 |
Antipsychotics for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and related illnesses |
Latest independent information about Mental illness and antipsychotics and treatments written and reviewed by experts in Australia. |
Web page | Health Professionals,Consumers,Members & Stakeholders,Others,Research & Evaluation community | 2011-09-14 00:00:00 |
Treating dementia - drug therapy not the answer |
Almost 190,000 Australians have dementia and as Australia's population ages, dementia becomes a bigger challenge for doctors, their patients and carers. According to the National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS), who has found that there are limited benefits to using cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine in the treatment of patients with dementia drug therapy is not the answer. |
Media release | Others | 2008-10-09 00:00:00 |
Treatments for mental health conditions |
R U OK? Day, Sept 15 2011 — Support and info for mental health conditions — Tips for managing medicines and improving your health |
Campaign | Consumers | 2011-09-08 00:00:00 |
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Antipsychotics
Date published: 2011-09-14 00:01:00
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