Patients should consult their physician before taking any additional prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, nutritional supplements or herbal medications. Of particular concern to individuals taking antipsychotics are:

• Antihypertensive medications. Medications used to treat high blood pressure.
  
  
• Anticonvulsants. Medications used primarily to treat seizures. They may also be prescribed as mood stabilizers to treat depression.
  
  
• Medications that affect the central nervous system. Antipsychotics can alter the effect of medications and the effects of the antipsychotics can, in turn, be altered by the use of other medications. Antipsychotics and these other medications can also have similar side-effects, most notably sedation. Examples of these medications include :
  
  
• Antihistamines. Medications used to treat allergic reactions or allergies.
  
  
• Antidepressants. Medications used primarily to prevent or treat depression and some cases of anxiety.
  
  
• Barbiturates. Depressant drugs that produce relaxation and sleep.
  
  
• Narcotic pain relievers. Drugs that relieve severe pain.
  
  
• Benzodiazepines. Medications used to produce sedation, induce sleep, relieve anxiety and muscle spasms and prevent seizures.
  

In addition, substances such as alcohol and nicotine can reduce the effectiveness of antipsychotics.