All antipsychotic medicines are associated with a range of dose-related side effects. While some side effects such as sedation are reversible, others such as tardive dyskinesia (involuntary sudden, jerky movements of the face and/or body) can be permanent. Awareness of these side effects, and how they may be prevented and managed, is a key role for pharmacy professionals.

There is a range of formulations of antipsychotic medicines; these include oral medicines and short-acting intra-muscular injections, as well as longer-acting injectable preparations. These have a range of licensed indications.

The side effects that are associated with antipsychotic medicines may impact significantly on a person's quality of life. Being able to recognise these effects and suggest ways to minimise their impact can be a key role for pharmacy professionals. For example, identifying and recommending interventions for movement disorder or gynaecomastia (enlargement of male breast tissue) and galactorrhoea (milky secretion from the breasts) associated with raised prolactin are issues to be discussed with the relevant psychiatric specialists. However, all pharmacy professionals can provide relevant advice within their level of expertise, for example lifestyle advice to manage constipation and supporting people's adherence to medicines by empowering them to ask questions and discuss concerns that they might have.

Advice on changes to medicines should never be given to the person with a learning disability or their carer(s) without prior discussion with the relevant overseeing clinician, and a plan being in place on what to do if the change is not successful.