HC Deb 16 November 2001 vol 374 cc944-5W
Mr. Heald

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made as to the likely occurrence of(a) tardive dyskinesia and (b) other side effects from the use of (i) atypical antipsychotic medicines and (ii) older treatments; [13784]

(2) what the main side effects are from the use of typical antipsychotic medicines; and if he will make a statement. [13785]

Jacqui Smith

The safety and efficacy of antipsychotics are assessed at the time of licensing by the Medicines Control Agency (MCA) with expert advice from the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM).

Tardive dyskinesia is a well-recognised side effect of older "typical" antipsychotics. Tardive dyskinesia is of particular concern because it may be irreversible on withdrawing therapy and treatment is usually ineffective. Factors predisposing to the development of tardive dyskinesia include old age, female sex, affective disorder, schizophrenia characterised by negative symptoms and organic brain damage. Newer atypical antipsychotics have been developed that are better tolerated, but tardive dyskinesia can still occur following long term administration with these drugs. The lower incidence of tardive dyskinesia with atypical antipsychotics remains to be established although at present this does appear to be the case.

Information on possible adverse effects is available in the summary of product characteristics which is produced by the manufacturer and approved by the licensing authority for each medicine. Tardive dyskinesia is well documented in the product information for both typical and atypical antipsychotics and is also described in the British National Formulary which provides guidance on prescribing to doctors.

Other side effects of older. typical antipsychotics can include; drowsiness, agitation, convulsions, dizziness, headache, confusion, gastrointestinal disturbances, dry mouth, constipation, difficulty with passing urine and blurred vision, cardiovascular symptoms, endocrine effects, blood abnormalities and skin rashes.

As with all medicines the safety of antipsychotics (typical and atypical) are continuously monitored by the MCA and the independent expert advisory body, the CSM.