Table 2: Side-effect profiles of antipsychotic medications

  • Anti-adrenergic effects (postural hypotension, aejaculation)

  • Extra-pyramidal side-effects (dystonia, akathisia, Parkinsonism, tardive dyskinesia)

  • Weight gain

  • Hyperprolactinaemia (amenorrhoea, galactorrhoea and breast engorgement in women, impotence and gynaecomastia may occur in men)

  • Lowered seizures threshold

  • Blood dyscrasias (benign leucopenia to agranulocytosis, but occasional leucocytosis)

  • Sedation

  • Anticholinergic effects (dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary hesitancy or retention, constipation, ejaculatory inhibition)

  • ECG changes especially prolonged QT interval (also widened QRS complex, T wave flattening)

  • Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (hyperthermia, muscular rigidity, autonomic instability, confusion and coma)

  • Miscellaneous (skin allergy, skin pigmentation, corneal and lens deposits, gastrointestinal upset)