Antipsychotic Side Effects: What You Need to Know Before Taking Them

When you take an antipsychotic, a class of medications used to treat psychosis, schizophrenia, and severe mood disorders. Also known as neuroleptics, these drugs work by adjusting brain chemicals like dopamine—but that adjustment doesn’t come without trade-offs. Many people start antipsychotics hoping for relief from hallucinations or paranoia, only to find themselves dealing with drowsiness, weight gain, or tremors. These aren’t rare side effects—they’re common enough that doctors should warn you before prescribing. And if you’re on aripiprazole, a second-generation antipsychotic often used for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, you might notice restlessness or nausea. If you’re taking thioridazine (also sold as Mellaril), an older antipsychotic with a higher risk of heart rhythm problems, your doctor should monitor your EKG regularly.

Not all side effects show up right away. Some creep in over months: weight gain that’s hard to lose, metabolic changes that raise diabetes risk, or a slow, stiff movement called tardive dyskinesia that might stick around even after you stop the drug. These aren’t just inconveniences—they can change your quality of life. What’s worse, many people don’t realize their shaking or constant chewing is linked to their medication. That’s why knowing the full picture matters. Delivery method plays a role too. An injection might cause less stomach upset than a pill, but it can trigger more muscle stiffness. And mixing antipsychotics with other drugs—like antidepressants or acid reducers—can make side effects worse. You don’t need to guess what’s normal. You need clear, real-world info.

Below, you’ll find real comparisons and warnings from people who’ve lived through these meds. You’ll see how aripiprazole stacks up against older drugs like Mellaril, what hidden risks come with long-term use, and how some patients end up switching because the side effects were worse than the symptoms they were trying to fix. No fluff. No jargon. Just what actually happens when you take these drugs—and what to do if things go off track.