Antipsychotics: What They Treat, Side Effects and How Long You Take Them
Written by Dr. Srishti Rastogi
Dr. Srishti Rastogi is a medical writer and healthcare professional dedicated to high-quality patient education and public health awareness. Leveraging her clinical background, she produces deeply researched, evidence-based content for digital health platforms and medical publications. Dr. Srishti’s unique dual perspective as a clinician and communicator allows her to craft content that builds trust and credibility with readers navigating sensitive health topics.
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September 18, 2026
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Quick Read
Antipsychotics are prescription medicines used for psychosis, schizophrenia, mania in bipolar disorder and some other conditions. Some symptoms may improve within days, while hallucinations and unusual beliefs can take several weeks. These medicines can affect weight, blood sugar, movement and hormones, so regular checks are important. Never change the dose or stop suddenly without speaking to your psychiatrist.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available right now. You are not alone, and things can get better with the right support.
The name “antipsychotic” can sound alarming, especially if your doctor has not said that you have psychosis or schizophrenia. However, these medicines are used for several symptoms and conditions.
This guide explains why they are prescribed, how long they take to work, which side effects to report and what health checks you may need.
What Are Antipsychotics Used For?
Antipsychotics are mainly used to treat symptoms of psychosis, including:
- Hearing or seeing things that others do not
- Strong beliefs that are not supported by evidence
- Severe confusion or disorganised thinking
- Extreme suspiciousness or fear
- Behaviour that becomes unsafe because of these symptoms
Psychosis can occur with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, severe depression, physical illness or substance use.
Antipsychotics may also treat mania, severe agitation or depression with psychotic symptoms. Being prescribed one does not automatically mean you have schizophrenia. Ask your doctor which symptoms it is treating in your case.
What Are the Main Types of Antipsychotics?
Antipsychotics are commonly divided into two groups.
| Group | Examples | Side effects that may be more common |
|---|---|---|
| First-generation or typical | Haloperidol, chlorpromazine | Stiffness, tremor and restlessness |
| Second-generation or atypical | Risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, aripiprazole | Weight, blood sugar, cholesterol and hormonal changes |
This is not a simple “old versus new” ranking. Side effects vary greatly between individual medicines.
Clozapine is usually considered when two other antipsychotics have not helped enough. It requires regular blood tests because it can rarely reduce infection-fighting blood cells.
How Long Do Antipsychotics Take to Work?
Some changes may appear within days, but a proper trial usually takes several weeks.
Sleep, agitation and distress may improve first. Hallucinations, unusual beliefs and confused thinking often take longer. NICE recommends assessing treatment after an adequate trial at a suitable dose, generally around four to six weeks [2].
If you are still hearing voices after one or two weeks, it does not necessarily mean the medicine has failed.
Contact your doctor earlier if symptoms worsen or you become extremely sleepy, restless, stiff or shaky.
Will Antipsychotics Make You Feel Like a “Zombie”?
They should not leave you feeling heavily sedated, emotionally numb or disconnected from yourself.
Drowsiness and slower thinking can happen when treatment starts. These effects may settle, but the medicine or dose may need review if you:
- Sleep through much of the day
- Cannot manage work or studies
- Feel emotionally flat
- Struggle to speak, think or move normally
- No longer feel like yourself
Tell your psychiatrist clearly how the medicine affects your day. Feeling heavily sedated is not something you have to accept without discussion.
Which Health Checks Do You Need?
Antipsychotics can affect weight, blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, hormones and movement.
Before starting, your doctor may check:
- Weight and waist measurement
- Pulse and blood pressure
- Blood sugar or HbA1c
- Cholesterol and other blood fats
- Prolactin levels
- Existing movement problems
- An ECG if you have certain heart risks
Weight is checked more frequently during the first few months. Blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure should also be monitored regularly [2].
Ask your doctor for a written schedule and keep copies of your results.
The aim of an antipsychotic is not to make someone quiet or sleepy. It is to reduce distressing symptoms while helping the person function as normally as possible. If the medicine leaves you heavily sedated, restless or unlike yourself, tell your psychiatrist. The dose or medicine may need to be reviewed.
What Side Effects Should You Report?
Possible side effects include:
- Drowsiness or dizziness
- Increased appetite or weight gain
- Stiffness, shaking or slowed movement
- Severe inner restlessness or difficulty sitting still
- Missed periods, breast discharge or breast enlargement
- Reduced sexual desire or erection difficulties
- Dry mouth or constipation
- Changes in blood sugar or cholesterol
Report side effects early. Your psychiatrist may adjust the dose, change the timing or consider another medicine.
Seek urgent help for a high fever with stiffness or confusion, a seizure, fainting, severe muscle spasms, breathing difficulty or uncontrollable face, tongue or body movements.
If you take clozapine, fever, a sore throat or another sign of infection needs prompt medical advice and a blood test.
Are Antipsychotics Addictive?
No. Antipsychotics do not usually cause addiction.
However, your body can adjust to them. Stopping suddenly may cause anxiety, nausea, restlessness or sleep problems. The original symptoms may also return.
This is why the dose is usually reduced gradually with a psychiatrist. Learn more about how psychiatric medicines work and why stopping needs a plan.
How Long Do You Need to Take Antipsychotics?
There is no single duration for everyone.
After a first episode of psychosis or schizophrenia, treatment often continues for at least one to two years after symptoms improve. Longer treatment may be advised after repeated or severe episodes [3].
The decision depends on:
- Your diagnosis and number of previous episodes
- How severe the symptoms were
- How well the medicine works
- Previous relapses
- Side effects and physical health
- Your circumstances and preferences
Feeling well may mean the medicine is preventing another episode. Your psychiatrist should regularly review whether it is still needed.
Can You Stop Taking Antipsychotics?
Yes, stopping can be discussed, but it should be planned carefully. Research suggests that relapse is more common after stopping treatment following a first episode of psychosis [5].
If you and your psychiatrist decide to stop, agree on:
- How slowly the dose will be reduced
- Which early warning signs to watch for
- Who to contact if symptoms return
- How long follow-up will continue
Warning signs may include sleeping much less, increasing suspicion, withdrawing from others, neglecting daily tasks or hearing voices again.
What If the Medicine Is Not Working?
Your psychiatrist may review the dose, how regularly it has been taken, side effects, substance use and whether the trial has been long enough. If two suitable antipsychotics have been tried properly without enough improvement, NICE recommends offering clozapine [2].
Not improving with the first medicine does not mean treatment cannot help.
What Should Patients and Families in India Know?
Families often help with appointments, medicines and noticing early symptoms. This can be useful, but the person taking the medicine should remain involved in decisions wherever possible.
Keep a photograph of the prescription and a list of every medicine or supplement being used. Ask before buying other tablets from a chemist, and never copy a relative’s dose or choose a medicine from an online “best antipsychotic” list.
If you are caring for someone, read about supporting a loved one with a mental illness.
Medicine may also be combined with psychological and family support. If counselling feels unfamiliar, read what to expect in therapy.
What Should You Ask Your Psychiatrist?
Ask:
- What is this medicine treating?
- When should improvement begin?
- Which side effects need urgent attention?
- Which health checks do I need?
- How long may I need the medicine?
- What should I do if I miss a dose?
- Who should I contact if symptoms return?
If something is worrying you, ask for a review instead of changing or stopping the medicine yourself.
Disclaimer
This blog article discusses mental health and emotional wellbeing for general educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and only a qualified mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or licensed therapist, can diagnose a condition or recommend treatment. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified professional or someone you trust; if you are in crisis or may be at risk of harming yourself, use the crisis support resources on this page. For any decisions about your mental health, we encourage you to seek the guidance of a qualified professional.
Most Asked Questions
Are antipsychotics addictive?
No. Addiction means craving something and losing control over using it, and that isn't what happens here. Your body does adjust to the medicine, which is why it's reduced gradually rather than stopped in one step.
My doctor gave me an antipsychotic and I don't have schizophrenia. Why?
Because these medicines treat symptoms, not one diagnosis. They're used in bipolar disorder, in depression with psychotic symptoms, in severe agitation, and sometimes in smaller supporting roles. Ask your doctor directly what it's for in your case.
What is a depot or long-acting injection?
It's the same type of medicine given as an injection that lasts weeks rather than as a daily tablet. It's often suggested when remembering a daily dose is hard, or when someone simply prefers it.
Will I put on weight?
Some people do, and the risk differs a lot between medicines. Ask which one you're on and what to expect, get your weight tracked from the start, and raise it early if it's climbing. It's easier to act on at three kilos than at fifteen.
Can I drink alcohol while taking one?
Ask your doctor about your specific medicine. Alcohol also adds to drowsiness and can make symptoms harder to manage, so it works against what the medicine is doing.
Sources
- 1.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Bipolar Disorder: Assessment and Management (CG185).
- 2.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Psychosis and Schizophrenia in Adults: Prevention and Management (CG178).
- 3.
Grover S, Chakrabarti S, Kulhara P, Avasthi A. Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Schizophrenia. Indian Journal of Psychiatry. 2017;59(Suppl 1)–S33.
- 4.
Leucht S, Cipriani A, Spineli L, et al. Comparative Efficacy and Tolerability of 15 Antipsychotic Drugs in Schizophrenia. The Lancet. 2013;382(9896):951–962.
- 5.
Thompson A, Winsper C, Marwaha S, et al. Maintenance Antipsychotic Treatment Versus Discontinuation Strategies Following Remission From First-Episode Psychosis. BJPsych Open. 2018;4(4):215–225.
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Why Should You Trust Us?
This article was written by Dr. Srishti Rastogi, who has more than 1 years of experience in the healthcare industry.
Allo has the expertise of over 50+ doctors who have treated more than 1.5 lakh patients both online and offline across 30+ clinics.
Our mission is to provide reliable, accurate, and practical health information to help you make informed decisions.
For This Article
- This article was medically reviewed by a qualified psychiatrist. The reviewer checked the information about why antipsychotics are prescribed, how long they may take to work, important side effects and when urgent medical care may be needed.
- The treatment and monitoring information is based on guidance from NICE and the Indian Psychiatric Society. The article also uses peer-reviewed research on the benefits, side effects and discontinuation of antipsychotic treatment.
- The article explains benefits and risks without promoting a particular medicine, dose or brand. The most suitable antipsychotic depends on the person’s symptoms, physical health, previous treatment and side-effect concerns.
- The information focuses on practical questions patients and families often have. These include whether the medicine will cause heavy sedation, whether it is addictive, how long it may be needed and which blood tests or physical checks should be completed.
- India-specific concerns are included, such as family involvement, buying other medicines from a chemist, keeping a copy of the prescription and asking for a written monitoring schedule.
- Common side effects and urgent warning signs are separated clearly. This helps readers understand which problems can be discussed at a routine appointment and which symptoms need immediate medical attention.