Atypical neuroleptics/antipsychotics general effects

Although the term neuroleptic initially encompassed this whole unique syndrome and is still used as a synonym for antipsychotic, it now is used to emphasize the more neurological aspects of the syndrome i.e., the parkinsonian and other extrapyramidal effects). Except for clozapine, arip-iprazole, quetiapine, ziprasidone, and low doses of olanzapine and risperidone, antipsychotic drugs available in the U.S. also have effects on movement and posture and can be called neuroleptic. The more general term antipsychotic is preferable, as reinforced by the growing number of modern atypical antipsychotic drugs with little extrapyramidal action. 

Adverse Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Effects The most common adverse cardiovascular effect is orthostatic hypotension, which may result in syncope, falls, and injuries. Hypotension is most likely to occur with administration of the phenothiazines with aliphatic side chains or atypical antipsychotics. Potent neuroleptics generally produce less hypotension. 

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