An overview of side effects caused by typical antipsychotics

Typical antipsychotics often combine efficacy in treating antipsychotic illnesses with a side effect profile that can affect every system of the body and range from the annoying-photosensitivity and jaundice, for example-to the disabling-seizures and blindness, among others-to the potentially fatal-agranulocytosis and neuroleptic malignant syndrome. The side effects of conventional antipsychotics are associated with effects at CNS transmission and receptor sites and appear in relation to dose levels and potency of the drug. Characteristics of patients-including gender, age, and comorbid medical illness-can make them more or less susceptible to particular antipsychotic side effects. Side effects influence patient quality of life and affect patient compliance with medications. This article will consider the physiologic systems affected by conventional neuroleptics, the sexual and reproductive side effects of typical antipsychotics, and the central nervous side effects of the conventional neuroleptics in the light of these concerns.