Antipsychotic drugs and their possible cardiovascular adverse effects – literature review

Introduction: Antipsychotic medication, frequently prescribed for managing psychosis, significantly enhance the quality of life for psychiatric patients. Nonetheless, they also harbor the risk of triggering cardiovascular side effects, which can range in severity and may pose challenges for patients, potentially disrupting their therapy. This study aims to elucidate these adverse effects, their potential etiology, and their prevalence. Material and methods: A review of available literature was performed by searching PubMed and Google Scholar, using the following keywords: antipsychotic drugs, adverse effects, cardiotoxicity, arrhythmia for original papers, review papers and meta-analyses published from 1992 to 2024. Discussion: It has been well-known for a long time that antipsychotic medication carries a lot of possible adverse effects. The cardiovascular adverse effects associated with antipsychotic medication encompass orthostatic hypotension, prolongation of the QT interval, atrial fibrillation, alterations in heart rate and cardiotoxicity, which may include myocarditis and cardiomyopathy. Fortunately, the occurrence of the most severe complications stemming from these effects is relatively uncommon. While the adverse effects of first and second-generation antipsychotics are extensively documented, further research is warranted to investigate the potential side effects of third-generation antipsychotic drugs. Conclusions: Cardiovascular adverse effects associated with antipsychotics can pose significant challenges and may even be life-threatening for patients. However, awareness of these effects should not discourage clinicians from prescribing them. Instead, it should motivate them to deepen their understanding and expertise. It would definitely lead to the improvement of patient care and treatment outcomes.