ABSTRACT
This chapter will cover useful advice to patients regarding psychotropic medications and their treatment, including side-effect assessment in follow-up visits, and other issues to consider in evaluating these side effects. The chapter will cover changing medication due to side effects, severity of side effects, and the clinical response associated with side effects. The following side effects will be covered: sedation; overactivation/anxiety; nervousness; akathisia; hypomania; sleeplessness as a side effect; tremor; nausea and gastrointestinal problems; sexual interference; weight gain; headaches; asthenia; dry mouth; hair loss; skin reactions; prolactin elevation; hypotension; falls; elevation of blood sugar and lipids; hyponatremia; suicidality; side effects and medication combinations.
