Treatment of neuroleptic-induced akathisia with propranolol: a controlled replication study.

Abstract

Twelve DSM-IIIR diagnosed schizophrenics, with neuroleptic-induced akathisia (NIA), were treated with either propranolol or matched placebo for two days, followed by a treatment crossover phase for five more days. Raters and patients were "blind" to treatment. This study shows that 120 mg of propranolol a day is more effective than placebo in reducing akathisia, and that propranolol's antiakathisic effect may require several days of treatment.

• Authors: M S Kramer, R Gorkin, C DiJohnson
• Journal: The Hillside journal of clinical psychiatry (Hillside J Clin Psychiatry) Vol. 11 Issue 2 Pg. 107-19 ( 1989) ISSN: 0193-5216 [Print] United States
• PMID: 2577308 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Controlled Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Antipsychotic Agents
• Benztropine
• Propranolol

Topics

• Akathisia, Drug-Induced
• Antipsychotic Agents (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Benztropine (administration & dosage)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Double-Blind Method
• Humans
• Neurologic Examination
• Propranolol (administration & dosage)
• Psychomotor Agitation (drug therapy)
• Schizophrenia (drug therapy)
• Schizophrenic Psychology