What are common side effects of dopamine antagonists?

Dopamine antagonists are a class of medications commonly used as antiemetics and can lead to a specific set of side effects. Sedation, restlessness, and extrapyramidal symptoms are characteristic of these agents due to their action on dopamine receptors in the central nervous system.

Sedation occurs because these medications can inhibit dopaminergic activity, leading to a calming effect, but they may also stimulate the balance of neurotransmitters to an extent that results in restlessness or akathisia. Extrapyramidal symptoms, which include symptoms such as rigidity, tremors, and abnormal movements, are a result of dopamine receptor blockade specifically in the nigrostriatal pathway. This side effect profile is particularly common with first-generation antipsychotics, which also act as dopamine antagonists.

The other options refer to side effects that are not typically associated with dopamine antagonists. For instance, weight gain and elevated blood pressure may be related to other classes of medications but are not hallmark sides of dopamine antagonists. Similarly, dry mouth and increased appetite could occur with different drug classes but are not characteristic of the typical side effects of dopamine antagonists. Alopecia and rash are more indicative of allergic reactions or other drug classes rather than the common side effects