Fleischhacker W W, Roth S D, Kane J M
Hillside Hospital, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Glen Oaks, New York.
J Clin Psychopharmacol. 1990 Feb;10(1):12-21. doi: 10.1097/00004714-199002000-00003.
Akathisia is a frequent and distressing side effect of neuroleptic medications. The literature regarding the pharmacologic treatment of acute neuroleptic-induced akathisia is critically reviewed, including nine reports of the use of anticholinergic agents, 15 of the use of beta-blocking agents, and six of the use of benzodiazepines. Reports of trials on clonidine, amantadine, piracetam, and of a patient treated with amitriptyline are also discussed. Tentative recommendations for the management of acute akathisia are proposed.
