Schizophrenia is a Scary Issue

Schizophrenia: as with all medical information that is offered, we strongly suggest that you consult with your Physcian before considering any and all treatment options.

Schizophrenia is a chronic disorder of the brain. It is also a severe disabling condition that affects about 1.1 percent of the population each year (over the age of 18).

The most common symptoms of schizophrenia are hearing voices that are not there, suspecting people are out to get you, the fear that people are trying to hear your thoughts and trying to broadcast them. People with this condition usually becomes withdrawn from others.

A man will usually develop this condition by his late teens to early twenties. A woman on the other hand will generally begin experiencing symptoms in her twenties or thirties. Yet, sometimes symptoms can show up in childhood for both men and women.

As of yet, there has been no definite determination as to what causes this condition. But there are treatment options. Medications is the number one preferred treatment option.

The following is a brief listing of the common medications given to treat schizophrenia along with some side effects that a patient may experience.

ARIPIPRAZOLE (ABILIFY)

The usual dosage is 15 to 30 mg a day.

Is less likely to cause weight gain than most of the medications used.

May cause one's blood sugar to elevate

RISPERIDONE (RISPERDAL)

This medication is also available in a long acting formula

Increase chance of weight gain

May cause one's blood sugar to elevate

OLANZAPINE (zyprexa)

The usual dosage is 10 to 20 mg. a day

Significant potential for weight gain

Significant chance that one's blood sugar will elevate

QUETIAPINE (SEROQUEL)

The usual dosage is 400 to 800 mg. a day

Is usually given to people who have had trouble responding to other medications

Increase chance of weight gain

May cause one's blood sugar to elevate

CLOZAPINE (CLOZARIL)

The usual dosage is 300 to 700 mg. a day

Is usually given to people who have not responded to other medications

May reduce suicidal thoughts

May affect the blood's abililty to clot

One should have a blood test regularaly

Increase chance of weight gain

May cause one's blood sugar to elevate

CHOLORPROMAZINE (THORAZINE)

The dosage of this is usually one to six times a day

Some common side effects of this medication are:

Drowsiness

Facial or body movements

Dry mouth

Constipation

Blurred vision

INVEGA (PALIPERIDONE)

This is a slow release medication that is usually taken once a day

This medication should be swallowed whole and taken with water, never crushed, broken or chewed.

The common side effects of this medication are:

Dry mouth

Headaches

Rapid Heart Rate

Drowsiness

Jitteriness

Internal restlessness

Taking this medication also increases one's risk of gaining weight

This medication may also cause a rise in one's blood sugar level

LOXITANE (LOXAPINE)

This medication is usually given 2 to 4 times a day

Side effects include:

Tremors

Shakiness

Jitteriness

One must tell the doctor if he/she has heart problems or seizure disorder before taking this medication

Moban

This medication is usually given 2 to 4 times a day

Side effects may include:

Dry Mouth

Drowsiness

Tremors

Twitches

Jitteriness

PROCHLOPERAZINE (COMPAZINE)

This medication comes in pill form, injectable form and in rectal suppository form

Common side effects may include

Blurred vision

Twitches

Constipation

Headaches

Dizziness

STELAZINE (TRIFLUOPERAZINE)

This medication is usually given 2 to 4 times a day

Side effects may include:

Drowsiness

Blurred vision

Twitches

Sexual problems

Dry mouth

THLORIDAZINE (MELLARIL)

This medication is usually given 2 to 4 times a day

Side effects may include:

Dry mouth

Headaches

Drowsiness

Shakiness

Twitches

Constipation

Blurred Vision

Nausea

TRILAFON (PERPHENAZINE)

This medication is usually given 2 to 4 times a day

Side effects that may occur are:

Dry mouth

Drowsiness

Twitches

Shakiness

Constipation

Blurred visions

Nausea

ZIPRASIDON (GEODON)

This medication is usually taken twice a day

Side effects may include:

Increase risk of weight gain

Increase risk of elevated blood sugar levels

Dry mouth

Drowsiness

Headaches

Shakiness

Dizziness

Since most of these medications may cause weight gain, people who take these medications should try to get as much exercise as they can.

Blood tests should also be taken regularly to test one's sugar level and watch for signs before diabetes may form.

Generally, a doctor would like a patient who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia to also see a counselor or a psychiatrist on a regular basis.