High Dose Antipsychotic Medication
What are High Dose Antipsychotics (HDAT)?
High Dose Antipsychotics are when you are taking one or more antipsychotic medication and the dose is higher than the maximum amount usually given.
Sometimes they will be referred to as HDAT.
High Dose Antipsychotics are generally used short term and are not usually recommended long term. Your doctor will decide if High Dose Antipsychotics are right for you.
What monitoring will I need?
When you take High Dose Antipsychotics you will need extra monitoring to check your physical health. These checks will include:
- Blood test
- Blood pressure
- Temperature
- Weight
- Side effects questionnaire
- Electrocardiograph (ECG)
These checks should be done every 6-12 months or they may be done more often if you are experiencing side-effects or health concerns. They will be done either in a physical health check clinic or by your GP and usually take around 15-30 minutes.
Why do I need extra monitoring?
High Dose Antipsychotics can sometimes increase the risk of certain side effects.
In order to reduce this risk, monitoring is recommended, so that any side effects can be identified and dealt with as soon as possible.
Tips for staying safe with medication
- Store medicines safely, where children and pets can’t get at them.
- Don’t assume one prescriber knows all the details of how another team is treating you. Tell healthcare professionals about all of the medicines or drugs that you are using and how much you take including medication or supplements you buy from a pharmacy or supermarket. This helps them to make the best and safest decisions.
- Don’t mix prescription medicines with ones you have bought, unless you have checked they are safe together.
- If you have been in hospital, check which medicines and doses have been stopped, started or changed. Make sure your next prescription from your GP matches what you expect. If it doesn’t, ask why.
- Do not stop taking your medications without talking to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist first so it can be done safely.
Resources
There are a variety of resources available that can help you make informed decisions about your medicines.
The Choice and Medication website includes patient information leaflets, handy charts and fact sheets on mental health conditions and medicines.
The best use of medicines in pregnancy (BUMPS) website provides information leaflets on the use of individual medicines in pregnancy.
If you have any questions about the medicines you are prescribed, talk to one of your healthcare professionals. This might be a doctor, pharmacist or nurse. Ask about things like side effects or if you feel the medicine is becoming less effective.
If you don’t feel safe with your medicines, please talk to someone. Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can help you.
