Does schizophrenia medicine really shortens life?In what way?Damaging the intestines?

Question

My friend told me she's not living for long because the pills is damaging her intestines.I'm very worried, Is this really true?

Answer 1

Common inconvenient side effects of all antipsychotic drugs used to treat schizophrenia include dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, and drowsiness. Some people experience sexual dysfunction or decreased sexual desire, menstrual changes, and significant weight gain. Other common side effects relate to muscles and movement problems. These side effects include: restlessness, stiffness, tremors, muscle spasms, and one of the most unpleasant and serious side effects, a condition called tardive dyskinesia.

HERE ARE MORE PROBLEMS THAT COULD OCCUR:

Tardive Dyskinesia is a movement disorder where there are uncontrolled facial movements and sometimes jerking or twisting movements of other body parts. This condition usually develops after several years of taking antipsychotic medications and more predominantly in older adults. Tardive dyskinesia affects 15 to 20 percent of people taking conventional antipsychotic medications. The risk of developing tardive dyskinesia is lower for people taking the newer antipsychotics. Tardive dyskinesia can be treated with additional medications or by lowering the dosage of the antipsychotic if possible. The symptoms of TD may persist even after the medication is discontinued.

Low White Blood Cell Count (Agranulocytosis)
Clozapine was the first atypical antipsychotic in the United States and seems to be one of the most effective medications, particularly for people who have not responded well to other medications. However, in some people it has a serious side effect of lowering the number of white blood cells produced. People taking clozapine must have their blood monitored every one or two weeks to count the number of white blood cells in the bloodstream. For this reason clozapine is usually the last atypical antipsychotic prescribed, and is usually used as a last line treatment for people that do not respond well to other medications or have frequent relapses.

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
This is a rare, but very serious, side effect. Signs to watch for are muscle stiffness that occurs over one to three days, a high fever, and confusion. If these symptoms occur, seek medical help immediately - take your relative to the emergency room if you cannot reach his doctor.

Answer 2

I don't believe intestinal damage is on the list of potentials. If she is having serious GI tract problems, she should get her meds changed now because that is very uncomfortable. This is immediate and on par with eating food that doesn't agree with you - eat something else.

Long-term medication use can be hard on organs, particularly the kidneys and liver. Routine lab work is done for the meds with a higher risk. Typically checked are liver and kidney functioning, thyroid, sugar levels, and some other blood levels depending on the medication. The antipsychotics are not the worst offenders, and different APs can be used if one becomes a problem.

I'd guess that your friend is either ill informed, a little paranoid, or maybe both.

Answer 3

In the old days the medication used would attack the internal organs. Today's medication are much more effective without the side effects. You still need blood tests on some meds to determine a reasonable level for the liver.

Answer 4

probably not. the medications used to treat schizophrenia do no generally have intestinal side effects of any sort. Your friend sounds delusional, or she is just manipulating your sympathies.

Answer 5

I would take care on the meds, my Dad used to take different types of anti-depressants and anti-psychotics and he got even sicker, from the meds. So take care and excersize good discretion as your doctor prescribes, but it's very important for a Schizophrenic to temper his/her effects.