Antipsychotic-withdrawal akathisia versus antipsychotic-induced akathisia: further evidence for the existence of tardive akathisia.

Abstract

The authors present a study in which 33 chronic schizophrenic patients who, when withdrawn from antipsychotic drug treatment for more than 2 weeks, presented with concurrent signs of akathisia and tardive dyskinesia; however, signs of akinesia, facial masking, rigidity, or dystonia were not concurrent with the patients' akathetic presentation. In a subsequent study phase, these patients were treated with antipsychotics for up to 6 weeks. The dyskinetic signs that had been dramatically more severe in those patients exhibiting akathisia following withdrawal from antipsychotic medication continued for up to 6 weeks following the renewal of antipsychotic drug therapy. These findings help to confirm a relationship between tardive dyskinesia and a persistent akathisia of later onset known as tardive akathisia.

• Authors: R L Dufresne, R L Wagner
• Journal: The Journal of clinical psychiatry (J Clin Psychiatry) Vol. 49 Issue 11 Pg. 435-8 (Nov 1988) ISSN: 0160-6689 [Print] United States
• PMID: 2903141 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antipsychotic Agents
• Chlorpromazine

Topics

• Adult
• Akathisia, Drug-Induced
• Ambulatory Care
• Antipsychotic Agents (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Basal Ganglia Diseases (chemically induced)
• Chlorpromazine (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced (complications, etiology)
• Female
• Hospitalization
• Humans
• Male
• Psychomotor Agitation (complications)
• Schizophrenia (drug therapy)
• Substance Withdrawal Syndrome (etiology)