Type of Drug:
Typical (conventional) antipsychotic.
How the Drug Works:
The exact mechanism is not known. Drugs of this type usually work by altering nerve transmission in the brain.
Uses:
For the management of the manifestations of psychotic mental disorders
Precautions:
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS): NMS is a potentially fatal syndrome associated with antipsychotic drugs. Symptoms include fever, muscle rigidity, altered mental abilities, irregular pulse and blood pressure, increased heart rate, sweating, and irregular heart rhythm.
Tardive dyskinesia: Involuntary and uncontrollable movements may develop in patients treated with antipsychotic drugs. Occurrence is highest in the elderly, especially women. However, it is impossible to predict which patients are likely to develop the syndrome. The risk of developing these involuntary movements and the likelihood they will become permanent are increased with long-term use and with high doses. However, it is possible to develop these symptoms after shortAterm treatment at low doses. The syndrome is characterized by rhythmical, involuntary movements of tongue, face, mouth, or jaw (eg, protrusion of tongue, puffing of cheeks, puckering of mouth, chewing movements), sometimes accompanied by involuntary movements of the arms and legs. Fine worm-like movement of the tongue may be an early sign of the syndrome. If the medication is stopped at this time, the syndrome may not develop further. There is no known treatment for established cases of tardive dyskinexia, although the syndrome may stop, partially or completely, if the drug is withdrawn. Antipsychotic treatment, however, may suppress or partially suppress the signs and symptoms of the syndrome and thereby may possibly mask the underlying disease process. The effect that symptomatic suppression has upon the long-term course of the syndrome is unknown.