Side Effects of Psychotropic Drugs and How to Manage Them

side-effects-of-psychotropic-drugs-and-how-to-manage-them

Psychotropic medications are used to treat mental health disorders and cover any drug that affects mood, behavior, thoughts, or perception. These are usually prescription medications that regulate neurotransmitters.

The five main types of psychotropic medications include antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, stimulants, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers. These medications may cause a wide range of side effects but luckily, there are many ways to manage them. Here are some of the most common side effects of psychotropic drugs and ways how to manage them:

  • Weight Gain

    Early intervention is the key to preventing significant drug-related weight gain. Some of the things you can do include exercise, mindfulness, counseling, psychoeducation, intervention programs, and safe weight-loss medications.

  • Anhedonia and Emotional Flattening

    Work with your doctor or pharmacist, such as the pharmacists in our independent pharmacy in Ohio, and be proactive in talking to them. Reducing medication dosages or switching to a different class of antidepressants will also help.

  • Sleep Disturbances

    Practicing sleep hygiene education, stimulus control, sleep restriction, cognitive behavioral therapy, and relaxation. Sleep medication may also be used if prescribed by your doctor.

  • Sexual Dysfunction

    Lowering medication dosages or switching medications can help prevent this side effect.

  • Hyperprolactinemia

    Decreasing the dose or switching to another medication that has a low impact on prolactin.

If you’re taking psychotropic medications, it’s always ideal to check in regularly with your doctor to fully manage any side effects. To learn more, call LowCost Pharmacy, a trusted pharmacy in Cleveland, Ohio today!

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