Neuro-Endocrinal Effects of Antipsychotics

Abstract

iterature has shown that antipsychotic medications can lead to serious and fatal neuro-endocrinal side effects such as neuroleptic malignant syndrome, fatal agranulocytosis and pituitary tumour. The current study's hypothesis was that the neuro-endocrinal side effects of the antipsychotice can be prevented by giving the least possible dose and by withdrawing them when the psychiatric condition permits to do that. The aim of the work of the current study was to delineate the neuro-endocrinal effects of the antipsychotics and to highlight on the effect of using antipsychotics on the long run. In order to achieve that the researchers reviewed the available literatures and case studies done on the neuro-endocrinal effects of the antipsychotics. Antipsychotics refer to drugs that are primarily used to treat symptoms of psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. In 1950s, chlorpromazine (the first antipsychotic) enter the psychiatric practice (Haddad et al., 2016), whereas, in late 1960s clozapine (the first second-generation antipsychotic) is introduced into clinical practice (Essali et al., 2009). Both generations of antipsychotics block D2 receptors in the brain's and SGS act on serotonin receptors, especially 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors as well. The main character of SGAs is less likely to cause extrapyramidal symptoms by comparing to FGAs. However,