Uses and side effects of Sizodon

Sizodon is a brand of Risperidone manufactured by the Sun Pharma, India. It is an atypical antipsychotic medication prescribed primarily for Schizophrenia, Delusional disorder and Bipolar disorder. Main notable side effects of Sizodon are movement problem called acute dystonia and drug induced Parkinsonism.

Uses of Sizodon

Sizodon is prescribed primarily for psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar mania and delusional disorder. In addition, it is prescribed for acute and transient psychotic disorders. It is available as tablets and usual dose range is 0.5mg to 16mg. But it is usually prescribed in the range 2mg – 8mg.

Sizodon 1mg tablets

Sizodon 2mg tablets

Schizophrenia is a psychiatry disorder characterized by delusions and hallucinations. Delusions are strongly held beliefs that are culturally unacceptable and not amenable to logical arguments. Hallucinations are perceptions (sounds, visions and sensations) without a stimulus (e.g hearing voices when nobody is talking). It is found scientifically, that patients with schizophrenia experience above symptoms due to abnormalities in their brain chemistry.

Artists Depiction of Schizophrenia

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder where the patients experience extreme mood swings. They sometime become severely depressed with ideas of worthlessness, having inability to experience pleasure, and hopelessness. Some patients commit suicide when the depression overwhelms them. In addition, at other times they have normal mood and sometimes get very high elevation of mood. At the time of elevation of mood they can become destructive, over spend their money and have sexual misadventures.

Having both happy and sad moods in Bipolar disorder

Sizodon is especially effective in the mood elevated phase or the manic phase. In addition, it has some mood stabilizing properties. Therefore, some doctors prescribe it after their manic phase.

This medication is also prescribed in Delusional disorder. It is a disorder characterized by persisting delusions. Common example of Delusional disorder is morbid jealousy. Here the person suspects his/her sexual partner fidelity without any adequate evidence.

Side effects of Sizodon

Sizodon is an antipsychotic medication and it shares side effects of other anti psychotics. Most common side effects are nausea, gastric upset and drowsiness. They are common to most of western medications.

Most notable side effects are movement problems named acute dystonia and drug induced Parkinsonism. Acute dystonia occurs within hours of taking the medication and Parkinsonism occur within days of taking it. These side effects are common in higher doses of the medication (Usually more than 4mg).

It can cause restlessness in legs and the person gets a feeling that he need to continue to move. It is very distressing symptom and if you get this symptom, you need to meet your doctor.

These movement related side effects are described in the following post.

Causes, symptoms and treatment of extrapyramidal side effects

In addition, Sizodon is known to aggravate glaucoma, cause acute urine retention, cause constipation and male erectile dysfunction. It is also causes menstrual problems in women. Some people experience severe drowsiness and sedation.

Sexual dysfunction is a common cause for discontinuation of medication. It can be addressed by doctors. 

Some people would experience weight gain, increased blood sugar and increased blood lipid levels with this medication. It is called metabolic syndrome.

A list of common side effects

1. Anxiety
2. Changes in vision, including blurred vision
3. Difficulty concentrating
4. Difficulty speaking or swallowing
5. Inability to move the eyes
6. Loss of balance and control
7. Mask like face
8. Memory problems
9. Muscle spasms of face, neck, and back
10. Problems with urination
11. Need to keep moving the legs
12. Shuffling walk
13. Skin rash or itching
14. Stiffness or weakness of the arms or legs
15. Tic-like or twitching movements
16. Trembling & shaking of the fingers/hands
17. Trouble sleeping
18. Twisting like body movements

How to minimize side effects

You should take the dose recommended by your doctor. You should also take the medication with a full glass of water. Take the medication after a meal. In addition, never crush the medication before taking it. If you experience abnormal movements, inability to keep still (constantly in need of moving the legs) or drooling of saliva or severe constipation then you need to meet your doctor again.

Sometimes your doctor would prescribe medications that would alleviate or prevent you from getting side effects. Common such medication is Benzhexol (or Trihexyphenidyl).

What are the rare but dangerous side effects?

Most significant dangerous side effect would be neuroleptic malignant syndrome. It is characterized by fever, muscle rigidity, confusion and can cause multi organ failure. It is a serious complication of all the antipsychotic medications including Sizodon.

Symptoms of Neuroleptic malignant syndrome  

Summary

Sizodon is an antipsychotic medication called risperidone. It is prescribed for schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. Main side effects are movement abnormalities called acute dystonic reaction and drug induced parkinsonism.

Uses and side effects of Arip MT

Arip MT is an Indian brand of Antipsychotic Aripiprazole. It is an atypical antipsychotic medication prescribed in schizophrenia, psychoses and bipolar mania.

Other common brand name is Abilify. Most common side effects are nausea, vomiting and constipation. This drug reduces weight in some patients, unlike other common antipsychotics such as Olanzapine. It is a plus point in some patients who are obese. Compared to some other antipsychotics this medication is relatively safe for heart.

In addition, this medication is prescribed to patients who develop certain side effects such as increased body weight, increased blood sugar levels and increased blood lipid levels due to other antipsychotic medications.

Arip MT Tablets

Common dosage for this medication are 7.5mg, 15mg and 30mg. This medication is usually prescribed once daily. Compared to other antipsychotics this medication cause less drowsiness.

However, it can cause type of movement side effect called Akathisia. In akathisia, patient experience restlessness in their legs causing urgency to move. It can become a serious side effect to note as patients sometimes tend to commit suicide due to Akathisia. It can sometimes be missed by less experienced doctors as they may interpret the side effect as something to do with the illness. 

For resistant variety of Schizophrenia Sizopin is prescribed.


Another antipsychotic that is commonly prescribed

Uses and side effects of Sizodon

How it acts?

Schizophrenia and other psychoses are caused by problems in brain chemistry. Arip MT alters and corrects the brain chemistry so patient’s psychotic features disappear.

What the doctor should know before prescribing?

If the patient has depression, dementia, seizure disorder, liver disease, kidney disease, stroke and diabetes mellitus, then he/she must discuss with the doctor before taking this medication. The doctor should know whether the patient is pregnant or breast feeding.

What are the general advices?

This medication can be taken without regard to meals. This medication should not be shared with other people. Taking alcoholic beverages can increase certain side effects.

Do not change medication dose or stop taking medication on your own. If you get side effects or problems with this medication then consult your doctor. He/She will change the medication and dose.

What are the common side effects?

Gastrointestinal disturbances like nausea and vomiting are the most common. Increased heart rate is another side effect. Some patients may get sleep disturbances with this medication. Akathesia (inability to keep the feet in one place) can occur with Arip MT. Some patients can get tremors. Headache is another side effect. Blurred vision is also common.

Less commonly patients can get depressed with this medication. This medication can increase the suicidal risk of susceptible individuals.

What are the rare side effects?

Very rarely patients can get loss of appetite, difficulty in swallowing, hepatitis, yellowish discoloration of the body, edema, increased blood pressure and chest pain. Some patients may get agitated with this medication. Few patients may have anxiety, seizures, and reduced sodium levels in the blood and muscle pains. Certain patients may get urinary retention, incontinence, and sweating and hair loss. Very rarely some patients may report increased salivation, pancreatitis, laryngospasm and thromboembolism.

Summary

Arip MT is a medication prescribed for psychotic disorders such as Schizophrenia. Main side effects are nausea, akathisia and weigh loss. 

Glumet for the use of weight gain and menstrual problems due to anti psychotics

Glumet is a popular anti diabetic medication. It’s generic name is called Metformin. It is defined as the most popular insulin sensitizer. Use of Glumet is associated with reduction in overall cardiovascular complications in diabetes. In addition, it is used in poly cystic ovarian syndrome (PCOD). In PCOD, it restores menstruation.

Anti-psychotics medications are notorious for their metabolic and endocrine side effects. Especially, second generation anti psychotics such as Olanzapine and Clozapine are known to cause significant weight gain. In addition, Risperidone is notorious for causing menstrual problems such as complete stopping of menstruation. These side effects are common cause for non-adherence of anti-psychotic medications.

Glumet can be used in to treat weight gain associated with Antipsychotics 

Recently concluded randomized double blind placebo controlled clinical trial conducted in china shows evidence for using Glumet in Anti-psychotic induced amenorrhea and weight gain. They compared two groups of women who experienced amenorrhea after antipsychotic treatment. One group was given Glumet 1g per day and other group was given a placebo (dummy medication similar to Glumet in external appearance).

They followed up them for six months. Menstruation was restored in 66% of women (28 women) after six months in Glumet group. Only two women experienced restoration of menstruation placebo group. This is the first study that detected restoration of menstruation after Glumet therapy in patients with antipsychotic induced amenorrhea.

Common Antipsychotics side effects including weight gain : Courtesy  Dr. Stephen M. Stahl. 

In addition, there is significant reduction in body weight and body mass index in Glumet arm of the study.

Most studies that were conducted prior to this also confirm the positive effect of Glumet in anti-psychotic induced weight gain. However, most studies suffer from small sample size. Therefore, studies with larger sample size are needed to conclude Glumet can be used in weight gain associated with anti-psychotic treatment.

Metformin for Treatment of Antipsychotic-Induced Amenorrhea and Weight Gain in Women With First-Episode Schizophrenia: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study

Fighting weight gain associated with antipsychotics. WEBMD article