Why Do Eyes Look Sunken And The Face Sags When Taking Antipsychotic Medicines?

Posted on Wed, 5 Sep 2012

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 5 Sep 2012 Answered on

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : Why do people's faces look weird when they are on antipsychotic medicines? Their eyes look sunken in and face is saggy. Does their face ever go back to normal once they are off them?

Answered by Dr. Praveen Rodrigues (3 hours later)

Hi there albeit this question has been tagged under 'bipolar disorder', essentially it is a dermatologis/cosmetic query. So am taking the XXXXXXX of answering you. At the outset, i empathise & understand why you feel this way. However, it is not just people on antipsychotics who feel this way. I have tons of similar queries in my practice daily. Yes the face will get back to its 'normal' appearance once they are off them. However, with adequate hydration, plenty of good quality sleep & perhaps some home remedies like application of sliced circular cucumber pads around the eyes during an afternoon siesta, one may even be 'normal' on them!
Cheers & Here's to a good countenance irrespective! To quote an old cliche' : "beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder"...so a good self image is half the battle won!
Dr Praveen Rodrigues MD
Dermatologist, Cosmetologist
Bangalore, India

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar