Related Words

Antipsychotic: Medication used to treat psychosis.

Typical-Conventional Antipsychotic: The name given to the older antipsychotic drugs developed for control of the symptoms of schizophrenia. These drugs are typically associated with a high incidence of side effects, especially EPS.

Atypical Antipsychotic: A newer class of antipsychotic, developed with the aim of offering better symptom control and fewer EPS related side effects compared with older medications.

Typical Antipsychotics: Older, first-generation medications used to treat serious mental illness. Different from the atypical antipsychotics in that they seldom have an effect upon the negative symptoms and often r . . . View Full Definition

Prolactin: A hormone produced by the anterior pituitary; secreted at the end of pregnancy when it activates milk production by the mammary glands.

Parkinsonism: (par-kin-son-izm) A group of symptoms including loss of movement, a lack of facial expression, stiff gait when walking, tremor, or stooped posture. These symptoms are sometimes side-effects . . . View Full Definition

Neuroleptics: (nur-o-lep-tiks) Medications with an antipsychotic effect that are used in the treatment of schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses. (Also known as antipsychotics.)

SAS: Simpson Angus Scale - an assessment tool designed to measure the symptoms of parkinsonism or extrapyramidal side effects related to the use of antipsychotic medications.

Orthostatic-Postural Hypotension: Sometimes an early side effect when starting certain antipsychotics, characterised by low blood pressure which may cause dizziness and fainting after standing or sitting up quickly.

Thioridazine: A typical antipsychotic.