Adverse-effect-driven non-adherence

Sedation, weight gain, sexual dysfunction, tremor, akathisia, constipation, cognitive dulling

RoutineReview due

Compare (7)

At a glance

High-risk causes: 4
Related differentials: 6

Safety snapshot

Watch forSevere akathisiaclozapine constipationlithium toxicityQT issues

Presentation hinge

Altered reality testing drives refusal rather than simple preference.

Separates the Treatment Refusal / Non-Adherence / Poor Insight group. It is not specific to Adverse-effect-driven non-adherence.

Clinical review

Rows marked “Whole group”: Applies to the Treatment Refusal / Non-Adherence / Poor Insight group — not specific to Adverse-effect-driven non-adherence

Why it fits

Sedation, weight gain, sexual dysfunction, tremor, akathisia, constipation, cognitive dulling

Key features

Must-not-miss

Severe akathisia, clozapine constipation, lithium toxicity, QT issues.

High-risk causes4 causes

Severe akathisia
clozapine constipation
lithium toxicity
QT issues

Bedside question

Applies to the Treatment Refusal / Non-Adherence / Poor Insight group.

Altered reality testing drives refusal rather than simple preference.

Helpful clues

Immediate action

Applies to the Treatment Refusal / Non-Adherence / Poor Insight group.

None listed

Priority steps

Investigations

Applies to the Treatment Refusal / Non-Adherence / Poor Insight group.

None listed

Core tests

Mimics / overlap

Applies to the Treatment Refusal / Non-Adherence / Poor Insight group.

None listed

Consider

Clinical reference — not validated decision support. Review before use.