Acute dystonia can appear within one or two days of beginning treatment and is usually transient. Akathisia Characterised by jittery and restless movements, akathisia literally means 'can't sit down'. Jerky, often purposeless limb movements are also characteristic signs. Approximately 1 person in 5 on antipsychotic medication will experience TD, although the incidence increases with prolonged exposure to neuroleptic medication. Symptoms include movement disorders typical of EPS and an extremely high temperature and it is important to detect the symptoms early in order to treat this condition.
Sedation is a common side-effect of neuroleptic treatment.
Patients may feel tired, lethargic or weak when they are taking antipsychotics such as chlorpromazine. Anticholinergic effects - a dry mouth, feelings of dizziness or light headedness, constipation and blurred vision while taking antipsychotics are due to the action of these drugs on cholinergic receptors in the brain and in the rest of the body. Anticholinergic effects may also get worse if patients are also prescribed anticholinergic medication such as procyclidine. Convulsions - some antipsychotics can increase the risk of convulsions, a factor that is possibly related to their anticholinergic action. Weight gain is a relatively common side-effect of antipsychotics and often causes a great deal of distress.