Tag: Agranulocytosis

Antipsychotic medications, used to treat conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, carry a constellation of risks. Among these, some are rare but potentially fatal, while others are irreversible or significantly impact long-term health. Understanding **what is the most serious side effect of antipsychotics?** requires considering these different types of risk and their impact.

While potentially rare, the mortality rate for Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS), a severe reaction to antipsychotics, was historically over 30%, though increased awareness has significantly reduced this figure. Learning to identify what is a life threatening reaction to antipsychotics is crucial for anyone taking these medications or their caregivers to ensure rapid intervention and better outcomes.

Originally withdrawn in the 1970s due to fatal cases of agranulocytosis, Skizoril (clozapine) was later re-introduced under strict monitoring protocols. This highlights the critical importance of understanding what are the contraindications for skizoril and the severe risks associated with its use.

Despite a history of serious side effects that led to its temporary withdrawal from the market in the 1970s, clozapine remains the gold standard treatment for approximately one-third of individuals diagnosed with treatment-resistant schizophrenia. The most common use of clozapine is specifically for these patients who have not responded to other antipsychotics, offering a beacon of hope where conventional therapies have failed.

In 1975, a cluster of patient deaths in Finland shocked the pharmaceutical industry and led to the dramatic withdrawal of the groundbreaking antipsychotic, clozapine, from the market. This initial safety scare is why was clozapine taken off the market, forever changing the drug's regulatory path and perception, despite its eventual reintroduction under stringent safety protocols.

Originally developed in the 1960s as a treatment for parasitic infections, levamisole was withdrawn from human markets in many countries due to dangerous side effects. Today, the question of **what kind of drug is levamisole** is complicated by its widespread, and often unrecognized, use as a toxic adulterant in illicit street drugs, with some reports finding it in over 80% of seized cocaine.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), at times, up to 82% of cocaine seized in the United States has been found to be adulterated with levamisole [1.9.2]. The answer to **Is levamisole toxic to humans?** is a definitive yes, with risks ranging from autoimmune disorders to death.

According to a 2017 study cited by the CDC, adverse drug reactions result in approximately 1.3 million emergency department visits annually. While many side effects are minor, some are severe and life-threatening, making it critical to understand what are the worst drug side effects and how to recognize them.

Due to variations in branding, a tablet sold under the name Cipin can contain one of two very different active ingredients: the antibiotic ciprofloxacin or the antipsychotic clozapine. The safety profiles and specific **side effects of Cipin tablets** vary dramatically depending on which medication has been prescribed, making it crucial to know which one you are taking.

First synthesized in 1920, metamizol is a potent non-opioid analgesic used for moderate to severe pain in many countries, though banned or heavily restricted in others. The question of whether it is a strong painkiller comes with significant nuance, considering its high efficacy alongside a rare but serious adverse effect profile.