Antipsychotic Medications (Research Paper Sample)

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Antipsychotic Medications
In a world filled with an endless list of sicknesses, patients tend to suffer from various ailments and diseases which at times require drugs to lessen pain or discomfort. In some cases, some of these drugs do have side effects despite having been developed with the sole purpose of reducing the effects of a disease. Antipsychotic medications are normally used in the management of psychosis and other mental related conditions like bipolar, delusions and some cases schizophrenia. Antipsychotics drugs have been used on various people in different age brackets, but this paper seeks to summarize the use, side effects, and contraindications of antipsychotic.
The elderly people are faced with a challenge to maintain their moods and at times they become excessively agitated, anxious and could exhibit signs of aggression. It is estimated that close to 80% of the people currently being housed in nursing homes demonstrate these signs (Byerly, Weber and Brooks, p.1). In order to help these people, antipsychotic medications come in handy to help these patients. In short, antipsychotic medications help in the control of behavioral problems in the elderly.
According to Masand (p.1), some of the effects evidenced by antipsychotic use in the elderly include signs similar to ones displayed by patients suffering from Parkinson Disease (PD). Also, these patients experience some Tardive dyskinesia as well as slowed cognitive ability. Other effects include dystonia, dizziness, unpredictable diarrhea, intensified restlessness and occasional headaches. Worth noting here is that patients may display varied effects, and this does not, therefore, means that they are identical on everyone suffering from these conditions. For instance, the patients in the first generation of psychosis tend to have Parkinsonism and Dystonia as some of the effects.
Even though these drugs do work in some patients, there are some limits that ought to be observed when using them. In short, contraindications are recommended in certain cases to ensure that patients do not experience worse conditions. For instance, patients who are hypersensitive to have severe depression ought not to be subjected to these medications especially when a medical specialist has not recommended of the same (Baptist Health School, p.2). The essence of understanding these contraindications is to ensure that patients’ conditions do not worsen as a result of these drugs.
Further, patients who may have dyscrasias or liver failure need not have these medications unless a qualified health practitioner has assessed them and offered relevant advice. Some drugs like Lithium are contraindicated in cases where patients have sodium depletion, and those may have diuretics. Also, in case patients are pregnant, they are closely monitored during this stage and that of lactation. As for patients who demonstrate profuse sweating or vomiting, medical practitioners monitor the situation with keenness (Baptist Health School, p.3).
Once it is clear that a patient needs to have these medications the health practitioner works closely with the nurse in ensuring that the patient complies with the recommendations. This includes encouraging the patient on the need to take drugs, recording all signs and ensure that the drugs are swallowed as per the prescription. Therefore, the nurse will inspect if the patient has taken t...