Key Information
• Cannot drive during acute episodes
• Requires DVLA notification
• Relapse prevention: Good sleep hygiene, avoid alcohol/substances/caffeine
• Monitor for the neuroleptic malignant syndrome: life-threatening, presents with
fevers, sweating, rigidity, confusion, fluctuating levels of consciousness, increased
blood pressure, increased heart rate, increased biomarkers including
creatinine/LFT’s/leukocytes
• Clozapine monitoring exclusively in secondary care (needs frequent FBCs due to risk
of neutropenia/agranulocytosis)
• Sodium valproate is teratogenic
• Adverse effects of antipsychotics: extrapyramidal symptoms, weight gain,
dyslipidaemia, increased prolactin (Low libido, gynecomastia galactorrhoea, sexual
dysfunction, menstrual abnormalities), sedation, anticholinergic effects, postural
hypotension, high blood pressure, decreased seizure threshold, impaired glucose
tolerance, cardiomyopathy, QT prolongation, stroke / VTE risk, neuroleptic malignant
syndrome, abnormal LFTs, photosensitivity
• An example of a first-generation antipsychotic (Haloperidol)
• Examples of second-generation antipsychotics (olanzapine, risperidone, quetiapine,
clozapine)