People taking anti-psychotic drugs lack information on side effects

Too many people on anti-psychotic drugs are not properly informed about the side effects of their medication which could lead to devastating consequences, a charity warned.

People should be told if there is a possibility that a drug could lead to side effects such as severe weight gain, sleepiness and slowness, stiffness or shakiness, Rethink Mental Illness said.

The charity said some people are being put on the drugs without proper consideration of the impact that the medication could have on their physical health.

The comments come after a poll by the charity revealed that 62% of those who are on, or caring for someone on, anti-psychotic medication said the risks, benefits and side effects were not adequately explained to them.

And half of the 200 people polled said they had not received a physical health check when their medication was prescribed.

The poll, released to mark Mental Health Awareness Week, also found that one in four people on anti-psychotic drugs, commonly prescribed for conditions including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, are left on the drugs without timely reviews.

Health officials recommend that people on such medication should be given annual reviews but 27% said it had been over a year since their last medication review.

Brian Dow, director of external affairs at Rethink Mental Illness, said: “Medication for severe mental illness can be a life saver.

“However, too often we are hearing that it’s being prescribed without a proper discussion about the side effects, risks, other options available, and perhaps even more worryingly, without taking into account the impact on physical health that medication can have.

“Imagine gaining 10 stone in weight in a year, with all the associated risks that brings, including diabetes, heart disease or a stroke, and not having this explained to you beforehand.

“We know that people with mental illness die on average 20 years earlier than the rest of the population, and this can largely be attributed to their physical health needs being overlooked.

“We understand health professionals face many barriers, particularly when working with people in crisis, with limited time and resources.

“But it’s crucial we start to see the whole person by ensuring both mental and physical health needs are addressed as one.

“That means more involvement, more information and an ongoing conversation about health overall.”

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