[halfthesky1019]

Hey,
I was reading about how long term use of anti psychotics cam cause brain damage or make it worse later on. How much truth is there to this? Has anyone heard this? And is there anything to prevent this? s

I've heard antipsychotics reduce brain mass.

Here is an article discussing this, particularly the difference between the effect of 1st and 2nd generation AP's and the dosage levels, etc. Sounds like more research is still needed/in the works:

Long-Term Use of Antipsychotics Linked to Changes in the Brain | Psych Central News

[Moogieotter]

Some AAPs are "pro cognitive" which means the brain grows with use.

[venusss]

From what I read they were not originally meant for long term use.

[passionfruit3]

Originally Posted by lolagrace

Here is an article discussing this, particularly the difference between the effect of 1st and 2nd generation AP's and the dosage levels, etc. Sounds like more research is still needed/in the works:

Long-Term Use of Antipsychotics Linked to Changes in the Brain | Psych Central News

How do you know wether your taking a first or second generation antipsychotic for example i take invega

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[Loial]

Originally Posted by passionfruit3

How do you know wether your taking a first or second generation antipsychotic for example i take invega

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First generation APs are known as typical whilst, second are known as atypical.

Latuda is an atypical AP, therefore second generation.

[halfthesky1019]

Fascinating article. My girlfriend is currently on ablify and she's been on latuda, saphris, geodon and risperdone. I believe zyprexa, seroquel, clozapine, rextuli, invega etc are 2nd generation APs. I feel like this is interesting because a lot of people need these meds to function

[SingDanceRunLife]

I've heard this, but I don't really care because without an AP my qualify of life would be so low

Possible trigger:

it wouldn't be worth living

. It's just one of those risk vs. reward situations that you have to evaluate for yourself. Some people would say it's not worth the risk, but I personally think it is so that I can be functional and an integrated part of society.

[Squirrel1983]

Originally Posted by SingDanceRunLife

I've heard this, but I don't really care because without an AP my qualify of life would be so low

Possible trigger:

it wouldn't be worth living

. It's just one of those risk vs. reward situations that you have to evaluate for yourself. Some people would say it's not worth the risk, but I personally think it is so that I can be functional and an integrated part of society.

I agree. I have been on an AP since 2008. All of mine have been atypical: risperidone, Latuda, Invega, and not Invega Sustenna. Before I was changed to Invega Sustenna, I used to play with whether or not to take my medication quite often and always got myself into a bad place when I didn't take it. Finally, pdoc said I was non-compliant and he couldn't trust me to take pills anymore, so injections it is now. But, at least I have been pretty stable since starting them 2 years ago. I still play around with my mood stabilizer, but there is no injections for that...though pdoc has already said if they ever come out with one, I will be put on it.

In short...I am a complete mess off my AP, so I'd rather take it and risk brain changes than end up hospitalized.

[metamorphosis12]

I don't know what mental illness you are dealing with. I will say that there are risks with APs and AAPs. Some can be tolerable. Some like Tardive dyskinesia- involuntary movements of the tongue, lips, face, trunk, and extremities are more extreme. You should discuss these issues with your mental help/pdoc thoroughly. A persons physiological makeup and factors, other meds. All can play apart with side effects. I will say a close friend of mine. Who has Schizoid effective disorder and has been on Clozaril and Haldol for years. Has very manageable side-effects and have helped make him very stable. It has been a life saver for him! He hasn't developed anything like Tardive dyskinesia. The side effects he does have are very manageable for him.
Here are some links. I am not posting them to influence you decision to take them but to use in discussion with your med. team. The more knowledge the better, right. They are very important class of medications in the arsenal of psychopharmacology in dealing with certain conditions.

What are the possible side effects of antipsychotics?

Antipsychotics have many side effects (or adverse events) and risks. The FDA lists the following side effects of antipsychotic medicines:

Drowsiness
Dizziness
Restlessness
Weight gain (the risk is higher with some atypical antipsychotic medicines)
Dry mouth
Constipation
Nausea
Vomiting
Blurred vision
Low blood pressure
Uncontrollable movements, such as tics and tremors (the risk is higher with typical antipsychotic medicines)
Seizures
A low number of white blood cells, which fight infections
A person taking an atypical antipsychotic medication should have his or her weight, glucose levels, and lipid levels monitored regularly by a doctor.

Typical antipsychotic medications can also cause additional side effects related to physical movement, such as:

Rigidity
Persistent muscle spasms
Tremors
Restlessness
Long-term use of typical antipsychotic medications may lead to a condition called tardive dyskinesia (TD). TD causes muscle movements, commonly around the mouth, that a person can't control. TD can range from mild to severe, and in some people, the problem cannot be cured. Sometimes people with TD recover partially or fully after they stop taking typical antipsychotic medication. People who think that they might have TD should check with their doctor before stopping their medication. TD rarely occurs while taking atypical antipsychotics.

Antipsychotics may cause other side effects that are not included in this list above. To report any serious adverse effects associated with the use of these medicines, please contact the FDA MedWatch program . For more information about the risks and side effects for antipsychotic medications, please visit Drugs@FDA .

NIMH » Mental Health Medications

Adverse Effects of Antipsychotic Medications - American Family Physician

http://portal.mah.harvard.edu/cms/co...3F77A49126.pdf

The different types of antipsychotics | Mind, the mental health charity - help for mental health problems

Antipsychotics | Drugs.com

[cheshiregrins]

I think it's controversial. It may affect brain mass, but if you're living in a state of psychosis, or even in a state of extreme emotion/reliving the past/trauma/not being able to progress or take part in life etc. that's going to cause brain damage, as well.

[mattjstead]

Lots, as I just found out today. I'm on a prevalent and highly prescribed one and found out my heart racing is actually a warning side to sudden heart failure and the FDA is about to recall it. So I'm a bit hesitant in AP now. And I'm on 6 weeks of literally sitting still and making sure my heart rate doesn't increase. Because for 4-6 weeks I still have the chance of it rise above 145bpm I could go into sudden heart failure.

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[Nammu]

Typical APs cause all kinds of immediate side effects for me. Atypical might cause long term plus weight gain but....life without an AP isn't worth living at times. So my compromise is to take APs until I'm stable at least a year wean off slowly and see how lucky nag I can do without until I need them again. My longest time off was almost 4 years with great support system.

[CobolCapsule]

Apparently risperidone increases grey matter in the brain, which is responsible for memory, seeing, hearing, executive functions, impulse control, emotions and speech. So i guess some anti psychotics have a positive impact long term.




http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/528670_4