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Medication

Psychiatric medications are commonly prescribed as treatment for mental illnesses. Many people use psychiatric medications as part of a holistic plan for recovery from mental illness. Being an informed consumer is key to the successful use of medications.

Finding the right medication to treat your mental illness is a very individual process. You will need to work with your family physician or psychiatrist to find the appropriate type and dosage of medication.

Find Medication Services and Supports

Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatment
CANMAT is a research organization that links healthcare professionals from across Canada who have a special interest in mood and anxiety disorders. Their site includes a section on treatment, including medications.
Medical Services: Taking Medication
This section of Challenges and Choices: Finding Mental Health Services in Ontario, published by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, covers types of medications, issues about mixing medications with other substances, and questions to ask your health care providers.
Check Up from the Neck Up — Treatment Options: Medications
This Mood Disorders Association of Ontario website provides an overview of medications related to the treatment of anxiety, depression and bipolar disorders.
Clinical Practice Guidelines
Published by the Canadian Psychiatric Association, these guidelines are written for clinicians and represent the best available evidence on treatment for the following psychiatric conditions:
- Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Depressive Disorders (May 2001), Chapter IV: Medications and Other Biological Treatments
- Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Schizophrenia (1998), Chapter II: Medications and Side Effects
- Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Anxiety Disorders (2006)
HealthyOntario
HealthyOntario includes an alphabetical list of medications by both generic and brand names.
Drug Product Database
This Health Canada database contains information on drugs approved for use in Canada.
Advisories, Warnings and Recalls
This Health Canada resource includes safety alerts, public health advisories, drug recalls, and the Canadian Adverse Reaction Newsletter.

FAQ: About Medication

How do I pay for my medications?

Prescription medications are not paid for automatically by the government, like some other health care treatments and services. If you do not have a private health plan through work, there are some government resources that can help.

The Ontario government's Trillium Drug Program (TDP) is for people with high drug costs relative to their family income. You may be covered by the TDP if you don't have private health insurance, or your insurance doesn't cover the full cost of your drugs. People can use the TDP if the cost of their drugs is more than approximately four percent of their family income. You have to pay for the cost of your drugs first and then get the money back from the TDP. There is a yearly deductible that is based on your family income.

For more information about the Trillium Drug Program, see www.health.gov.on.ca.

Many people who have very expensive drug costs and who have serious and ongoing mental illnesses find that they have to be on the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) [link to ODSP section] This is long-term support for people with mental illnesses and other disabilities that make work difficult. The cost of many drugs is fully covered under the ODSP.

Many people on ODSP want to work. As of November 1, 2006, people can now get a job, leave ODSP and keep their drug benefits.

What questions should I ask my doctor about medications?

In order to get the best results from your medications, it is important to know how to take them properly.

It can sometimes be difficult to ask your doctor questions about your drugs. It can help to write down your questions before you meet with your doctor. You can also bring someone with you to support you.

Pharmacists are another good source of information about medications. They are medication experts who can help you get the most out of your medication. They can tell you about potential interactions between a prescribed drug and other drugs, over-the-counter (non-prescription) medicines or foods.

For a more detailed description of the types of questions you can ask your health care providers, see the Finding and Choosing Treatment page of the Women's Mental Health section of this website.

How can I cope with the side-effects of medications?

Side-effects are common with all types of medication, including psychotropic drugs. Many people find that the side-effects are mild or go away in time. Common side-effects may include headaches, dry mouth, sweating or drowsiness.

Some side-effects are more serious. These include weight gain and a condition called tardive dyskinesia which causes involuntary movements of the body.

Each person has to decide for themselves whether the benefits of the drug are greater or less than the negative side-effects. Talk to your doctor about any side-effects you have. You can work with your doctor to find ways to reduce the side-effects, such as changing your dosage, changing the times you take a dose, adding another drug to cope with the side-effects or changing to a different drug.

Should I take medication or go to therapy?

Recovery from mental illness often requires a holistic treatment plan. For many people, medications in combination with talk therapy and a range of psychosocial supports can make a difference in one's life. Having support from friends, family and peers — that is, other people who have experienced mental illness — is also essential.

Depending on the specific type of mental health problems, medication may the first choice treatment. For some conditions, research has shown that specific types of talk therapy are effective and are often the first choice in treatment. A combination of both talk and medication therapy is often very successful.

Research on the best types of treatment for specific mental health problems is ongoing. For more information on the specific types of treatment plans that are currently considered "best practices," see the Canadian Psychiatric Association's clinical practice guidelines on major mental illnesses at www.cpa-apc.org.

For updates on major research studies taking place in the United States, consisting of some of the largest studies ever done to answer these questions, see the Mental Health America (formerly National Mental Health Association) website at www.mentalhealthamerica.net.

Related Resources on Medication

Policy Recommendations

Submission to the Standing Committee on Social Policy Legislative Assembly of Ontario on Bill 102: An Act to Amend the Drug Interchangeability and Dispensing Fee Act and the Ontario Drug Benefit Act (May 2006)
CMHA, Ontario provided input to the reform of the Ontario drug system.

More Information about Medication

Finding and Choosing Treatment: Includes an overview of the use of medications including questions to ask your doctor that are relevant to women and men.
Psychiatric Medication and Weight Gain: Information for both women and men about the common side-effect of weight gain and what to do about it.

Links

Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatment

CANMAT is research organization that links healthcare professionals from across Canada who have a special interest in mood and anxiety disorders. Their site includes a section on treatment, including medications.

Medical Services: Taking Medication

This section of Challenges and Choices: Finding Mental Health Services in Ontario , published by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, covers types of medications, issues about mixing medications with other substances and questions to ask your health care providers.

Medications, Visions: BC’s Mental Health and Addictions Journal (Fall 2007)

This publication highlights the voices of people living with a mental disorder or substance use problem and their family and friends, as well as service providers and professionals. Included in this issue are diverse perspectives on the “double-edged sword” of psychiatric medications, from consumer experiences with medications and their side-effects to professional articles on how medications work in the body. Articles explore issues such as medications and homelessness, medication myths and autonomy in medication management.

Check Up from the Neck Up — Treatment Options: Medication

This Mood Disorders Association of Ontario website provides an overview of medications related to the treatment of anxiety, depression and bipolar disorders.

Clinical Practice Guidelines

Canadian Psychiatric Association These publications are written for clinicians and represent the best available evidence on treatment for these psychiatric conditions.

Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Depressive Disorders (May 2001), Chapter IV: Medications and Other Biological Treatments
Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Schizophrenia (1998), Chapter II: Medications and Side Effects
Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Anxiety Disorders (2006)

HealthyOntario

HealthyOntario includes an alphabetical list of medications by both generic and brand names.

Drug Product Database

This Health Canada database contains information on drugs approved for use in Canada.

Advisories, Warnings and Recalls

This Health Canada resource includes safety alerts, public health advisories, drug recalls, and the Canadian Adverse Reaction Newsletter.

Pharmaceuticals

Health Canada information about drug benefit programs, pharmaceutical costs, pricing, optimal drug therapy, how federal, provincial and territorial governments cooperate on pharmaceuticals management, and access to acts, regulations and reports.

"Reclaiming Your Power During Medication Appointments with Your Psychiatrist" (USA)

This article by Pat Deegan, a consumer/survivor advocate and psychologist, helps people learn to ask questions about their medications.

Clinical Trials (USA)

This site is a service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health. It lists drug trials that are recruiting participants, including some trials taking place in Ontario.

Rethink (UK)

Rethink provides mental health services in the United Kingdom and raises awareness about serious mental illnesses. They have several publications that provide guidance and "real-world" advice on medications. Some of the specific details and names of medications are specific to the UK.

Only the Best
A six-step guide to finding the right medication for you.
That's Just Typical
People's experiences with antipsychotic medications for the treatment of schizophrenia. Produced by NSF (now Rethink), Mind and the Manic Depression Fellowship (now the Bipolar organisation).
A Question of Choice
A survey on people's views on medication and other treatments for mental illness. Produced by Rethink, Mind and the Bipolar Organisation.

About Medications (USA)

Links to medication-related websites, as well as information on individual medications. Published by NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). Please note that this is an American site and some of the information may not be applicable to Canadians.

Medication Information (USA)