What are extrapyramidal symptoms primarily associated with?

Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) are primarily associated with antipsychotic medications, particularly the first-generation or typical antipsychotics. These symptoms are a group of movement disorders that include symptoms such as tremors, rigidity, bradykinesia, and tardive dyskinesia, which resemble Parkinson’s disease. The reason these symptoms arise from antipsychotic medications is that they block dopamine receptors in the brain, particularly in the basal ganglia, which is involved in the regulation of movement.

It's important to note that EPS are typically not associated with high blood pressure medications, antibiotic therapies, or analgesic drugs. While some high blood pressure medications may have side effects, they do not lead to the characteristic movement disorders seen with antipsychotics. Antibiotic therapies and analgesic drugs also do not have a connection to extrapyramidal symptoms, as their pharmacological actions target different pathways and do not significantly impact dopamine receptor activity. Therefore, antipsychotic medications are the primary drugs that can induce extrapyramidal symptoms due to their mechanism of action on dopamine pathways in the central nervous system.