Medication for community placement Sept 2025

Pharmacology

Fluoxetine

ANTIDEPRESSANT 

Increases levels of serotonin in the brain

FORMS: tablets, capsules or liquids

SIDE EFFECTS: Dizziness and headaches

Sertraline

ANTIDEPRESSANT for DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY

FORM: Oral tablet, oral suspension and solution

SIDE EFFECTS: weight/sleep changes

Mirtazapine

ANTIDEPRESSANT for DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY

increases mood enhancing chemicals

FORMS: tablet, orodispersable tablet, oral solution

SIDE EFFECTS: sedation, weight gain, headache

Arirpiprazole

ANTI PSYCHOTIC FOR SCHIZOPHRENIA, MANIA AND BPD

Decreases Dopamine and Increases Serotonin levels

SIDE EFFECTS: difficulty sleeping and headaches

FORMS: Orodispersable tablets, oral solution

Haloperidol Deconate

ANTI PSYCHOTIC FOR ANXIETY, SCHIZOPHRENIA AND BPD 

FORMS: Oral tablet, oral solution or injection

SIDE EFFECTS: dizziness and dry mouth

Olanzapine

ANTIPSYCHOTIC FOR SYMPTOMS OF SCHIZOPHRENIA AND BPD

FORMS: Oral tablet & orodispersable tablet

SIDE EFFECTS: Constipation and dizziness

Quetiapine

ANTI PSYCHOTIC FOR SCHIZOPHRENIA, DEPRESSION AND BPD

start on a low dose then increase while monitoring improvements

FORMS: Oral tablet, suspension and M/R

SIDE EFFECTS: Sleepiness and problems with movement

Risperidone

ATYPICAL ANTI PSYCHOTIC TO TREAT SYMPTOMS OF HYPER-MANIA, PSYCHOSIS AND SCHIZ

FORMS: Tablets, liquid & orodispersable

SIDE EFFECTS: hypotension and restlessness

Procyclidine

ANTICHOLINERGIC (Parkinson's)

FORMS: tablet, oral solution injection

SIDE EFFECTS: hyperactivity, agitation

Clozapine

A TYPICAL ANTIPSYCHOTIC FOR TREATMENT- RESISTANT PATIENTS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIAB

FORMS: Tablet

SIDE EFFECTS: Agranulocytosis, agitation, drowsiness

Risperidone Consta

A TYPICAL DEPOT ANTI PSYCHOTICS FOR SCHIZOPHRENIA AND BPD

-FORMS: oral, depot

-SIDE EFFECTS: weight, drowsiness, dizziness

Flupentixol Deconate (Depixol)

DEPOT ANT PSYCHOTICS (TYPICAL) MAINTENANCE IN SCHIZ / PSYCHOSES 

-FORMS: deep intramuscular injection (depot)

-SIDE EFFECTS: EPS (Parkinsonism, akathisia)

Zuclopenthixol Deconate (Clopixol)

DEPOT ANTI PSYCHOTIC (TYPICAL) MAINTENANCE FOR SCHIZ / PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS

-FORMS: IM injection

-SIDE EFFECTS: strong extrapyrmadical side effects (EPS)

Fluphenazine (Modecate)

DEPOT ANTI PSYCHOTIC (TYPICAL) MAINTENANCE FOR SCHIZ / PSYCHOSES

FORMS: depot

SIDE EFFECTS: Parkinsonism, tardive dyskensia

Citalopram

ANTI DEPRESSANT FOR MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER

-FORMS: tablets, oral solution

-SIDE EFFECTS: nausea, diarrhea, insomnia

Venlafaxine 

ANTI DEPRESSANT FOR DEPRESSION (SNRI)

-FORMS: tablets, oral solution

-SIDE EFFECTS: nausea, vomiting, headaches

Lithium

MOOD STABILISER FOR BPD AND MANIA

-FORMS: tablets

-SIDE EFFECTS/ RISKS: Thyroid dysfunction, renal impairment, weight gain

Semi- Sodium Valproate (Depakote)

MOOD STABILISER FOR BPD

FORMS: tablets (M/R) , injectable, oral

SIDE EFFECTS: tremor, weight gain, nausea

Zolpidem 

HYPNOTIC FOR SHORT TERM TREATMENT OF INSOMNIA

SIDE EFFECTS: tablets (IM or M/F)

FORMS: drowsiness and sleepwalking.

Diazapam

ANXIOLYTICS FOR ANXIETY AND MUSCLE SPASMS

-FORMS: tablet, oral, injection

-SIDE EFFECTS: sedation, drowsiness and withdrawal.

Lorazepam

ANXIOLYTICS for SHORT TERM SEDATION, ANXIETY

-FORMS: tablet, oral, depot 

-SIDE EFFECTS: withdrawal, sedation and drowsiness. 

What is agranulocytosis

Clozapine-induced agranulocytosis is a serious side effect which reduces the count of white blood cells- specifically neutrophils.

Can highly increase the risk of severe infections and potential death

Requires heavy haematological monitoring and neutrophil counts- blood test

Can detect early signs of neutropenia