Toxic Syndromes: Antipsychotics

ANTIPSYCHOTICS

Antipsychotic drugs include the older phenothiazines and butyro-phenones, as well as newer atypical drugs. All of these can cause CNS depression, seizures, and hypotension. Some can cause QT prolongation. The potent dopamine D₂ blockers are also associ-ated with parkinsonian movement disorders (dystonic reactions) and in rare cases with the neuroleptic malignant syndrome, char-acterized by “lead-pipe” rigidity, hyperthermia, and autonomic instability.