Discussion 5.1: Antipsychotic Side Effects

Points: 20

Due: Day 3 and Day 6

Directions

As effective as antipsychotic medications can be, they can also have serious side effects. In this discussion, you will identify potential side effects associated with antipsychotic medications (both first- and second-generation antipsychotics).

Explain the signs/symptoms of hyperprolactinemia and how you can assess for this.

Should prolactin levels be monitored routinely or only if a patient is symptomatic? What is a normal prolactin level range? Provide at least one source for your rationale regarding prolactin level monitoring.

Additionally, there are cardiac arrhythmia risks and seizure risks with antipsychotics.

• What difference (if any) do first generation versus second generation antipsychotics have on these potential side effects (address prolactin, cardiac arrhythmias, and seizures)?
• Give two examples of medications that are highly likely to have these side effect profiles and two medications that are less likely to impact these side effect profiles (address each risk: prolactin, cardiac arrhythmias, and seizures). You should identify different medications for each side effect risk, with two that are high-risk and two that are low risk for prolactin (4 total), for cardiac risks (4 total), and for seizures (4 total), for 12 total medications.