Neuroleptic intolerance

This article reviews antipsychotic medication side effects, especially those that require the physician to discontinue or the patient to be noncompliant with otherwise useful medication. They include such common problems as extrapyramidal syndromes (dystonia, akathisia, drug-induced Parkinsonism, tardive dyskinesia), sedation, weight gain, and sexual dysfunction, as well as less frequent concerns, such as seizures, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, agranulocytosis, torsade de pointes, hepatitis, and dermatological and ophthalmological syndromes. The adverse events associated with some of the new antipsychotic drugs are included. Available information about individual susceptibility to side effects is addressed by syndrome.