Which adverse effect is more commonly associated with low-potency first-generation antipsychotics and is dose-related?

• A. Anticholinergic Effects
• B. Extrapyramidal symptoms
• C. Hyperprolactinemia
• D. Sedation

Answer: (A)

Low-potency first-generation antipsychotics have stronger antimuscarinic (anticholinergic) activity, and these effects rise with higher doses. That makes anticholinergic side effects—such as dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, urinary retention—more common and dose-related with these drugs. Extrapyramidal symptoms come from strong D2 blockade and are more typical of high-potency agents, not the low-potency group. Hyperprolactinemia results from D2 blockade in the tuberoinfundibular pathway and can occur with typical antipsychotics but isn’t the characteristic dose-related feature of low-potency drugs. Sedation can occur due to antihistamine effects, but the distinct dose-related adverse effect most linked to low-potency FGAs is anticholinergic effects.