Antipsychotics Table – Week 3 Advanced
Pharmacology Notes – NR 546 –
Chamberlain University (2025/2026)
Nursing
Drug
Class Major Side Considera
Name Mechanism of
(Typical/Aty Indications Effects/Adverse tions &
(Generic & Action
pical) Reactions Patient
Brand)
Education
Monitor
for EPS
and NMS
Extrapyramidal (fever,
symptoms (EPS) rigidity,
(e.g., dystonia, altered
akathisia, mental
parkinsonism), status).
tardive dyskinesia, Check
orthostatic CBC for
hypotension, agranulocy
Blocks dopamine sedation, tosis.
D2 receptors in anticholinergic Assess BP
the mesolimbic effects (dry for
Schizophrenia,
and nigrostriatal mouth, hypotensio
Chlorprom acute psychosis,
Typical pathways; also constipation, n. Teach to
azine bipolar disorder
(First- has urinary retention), rise slowly
(Thorazine (manic phase),
Generation) antihistamine, neuroleptic to prevent
) severe agitation,
anticholinergic, malignant falls.
intractable hiccups.
and alpha- syndrome (NMS), Advise
adrenergic prolonged QT against
blocking effects. interval, alcohol
agranulocytosis. due to
Black Box increased
Warning: sedation.
Increased Educate on
mortality in anticholine
elderly with rgic effects
dementia-related and to
psychosis. report
fever or
muscle
rigidity
, Nursing
Drug
Class Major Side Considera
Name Mechanism of
(Typical/Aty Indications Effects/Adverse tions &
(Generic & Action
pical) Reactions Patient
Brand)
Education
immediatel
y.
Monitor
for EPS
and NMS;
consider
prophylacti
c
anticholine
rgics for
High risk of EPS EPS.
(dystonia, Assess
akathisia, ECG for
Potent D2 parkinsonism), QT
receptor tardive dyskinesia, prolongatio
antagonist; Schizophrenia, NMS, QT n. Teach to
Typical minimal acute psychosis, prolongation, report
Haloperido
(First- anticholinergic Tourette’s seizures, muscle
l (Haldol)
Generation) and sedative syndrome, severe leukopenia. Black stiffness,
effects compared agitation, delirium. Box Warning: tremors, or
to Increased fever.
chlorpromazine. mortality in Advise
elderly with avoiding
dementia-related driving due
psychosis. to potential
sedation.
Monitor
for seizure
activity,
especially
in
predispose
d patients.
EPS (dystonia, Monitor
akathisia, for EPS
D2 receptor parkinsonism), and NMS.
Fluphenazi Typical
antagonist; high Schizophrenia, tardive dyskinesia, Administer
ne (First-
potency with psychotic disorders. NMS, long-acting
(Prolixin) Generation)
strong EPS risk. hypotension, injectable
sedation, forms (e.g.,
hepatotoxicity. decanoate)
Pharmacology Notes – NR 546 –
Chamberlain University (2025/2026)
Nursing
Drug
Class Major Side Considera
Name Mechanism of
(Typical/Aty Indications Effects/Adverse tions &
(Generic & Action
pical) Reactions Patient
Brand)
Education
Monitor
for EPS
and NMS
Extrapyramidal (fever,
symptoms (EPS) rigidity,
(e.g., dystonia, altered
akathisia, mental
parkinsonism), status).
tardive dyskinesia, Check
orthostatic CBC for
hypotension, agranulocy
Blocks dopamine sedation, tosis.
D2 receptors in anticholinergic Assess BP
the mesolimbic effects (dry for
Schizophrenia,
and nigrostriatal mouth, hypotensio
Chlorprom acute psychosis,
Typical pathways; also constipation, n. Teach to
azine bipolar disorder
(First- has urinary retention), rise slowly
(Thorazine (manic phase),
Generation) antihistamine, neuroleptic to prevent
) severe agitation,
anticholinergic, malignant falls.
intractable hiccups.
and alpha- syndrome (NMS), Advise
adrenergic prolonged QT against
blocking effects. interval, alcohol
agranulocytosis. due to
Black Box increased
Warning: sedation.
Increased Educate on
mortality in anticholine
elderly with rgic effects
dementia-related and to
psychosis. report
fever or
muscle
rigidity
, Nursing
Drug
Class Major Side Considera
Name Mechanism of
(Typical/Aty Indications Effects/Adverse tions &
(Generic & Action
pical) Reactions Patient
Brand)
Education
immediatel
y.
Monitor
for EPS
and NMS;
consider
prophylacti
c
anticholine
rgics for
High risk of EPS EPS.
(dystonia, Assess
akathisia, ECG for
Potent D2 parkinsonism), QT
receptor tardive dyskinesia, prolongatio
antagonist; Schizophrenia, NMS, QT n. Teach to
Typical minimal acute psychosis, prolongation, report
Haloperido
(First- anticholinergic Tourette’s seizures, muscle
l (Haldol)
Generation) and sedative syndrome, severe leukopenia. Black stiffness,
effects compared agitation, delirium. Box Warning: tremors, or
to Increased fever.
chlorpromazine. mortality in Advise
elderly with avoiding
dementia-related driving due
psychosis. to potential
sedation.
Monitor
for seizure
activity,
especially
in
predispose
d patients.
EPS (dystonia, Monitor
akathisia, for EPS
D2 receptor parkinsonism), and NMS.
Fluphenazi Typical
antagonist; high Schizophrenia, tardive dyskinesia, Administer
ne (First-
potency with psychotic disorders. NMS, long-acting
(Prolixin) Generation)
strong EPS risk. hypotension, injectable
sedation, forms (e.g.,
hepatotoxicity. decanoate)
