Final answer:
The major side effects of first-generation antipsychotics include extrapyramidal symptoms, sedation, anticholinergic effects, and orthostatic hypotension, impacting movement, cognition, and blood pressure control.
Step-by-step explanation:
The major side effects associated with first-generation antipsychotics are extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), sedation, anticholinergic effects, and orthostatic hypotension. EPS are movement disorders like tardive dyskinesia, akathisia, and dystonia. Sedation refers to the induced drowsiness or sleepiness patients can experience when taking these drugs. Anticholinergic effects include dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, and difficulty urinating, which occur due to the blocking of acetylcholine receptors. Orthostatic hypotension, a sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing, can lead to dizziness or fainting.
Antipsychotics work primarily by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain, which can control psychotic symptoms but also cause side effects related to motor functions. The neuroleptics, as they are sometimes called, can reduce interest in the environment and emotional expression, and might lead to cognitive slowness, though without affecting intelligence or coordination at therapeutic doses. Additionally, they may cause disturbances in normal motor control, impacting the ability to speak or move limbs smoothly.
It is important for patients and healthcare providers to monitor these side effects closely and manage them appropriately to improve the patient's quality of life while undergoing treatment for conditions like schizophrenia.