Patient and Family Education

• Review signs of EPS and reinforce the idea that treatment is available to minimize risks.
• Advise carrying water and hard candies to reduce dry mouth.
• Advise against stopping medications without consulting the prescriber.
• Encourage physical activities and healthy eating habits to avoid weight gain and metabolic syndromes.
• Teach patient to report muscle stiffness or restlessness to the prescriber.
• Teach patient to report development of flu-like symptoms while taking clozapine.
• Review specific plans to manage side effects with patient, family, and caregivers.
• Advise female patients to avoid pregnancy.
• Prepare patient and family that medications take 2–12 weeks to show improvements.