Propranolol as a primary treatment of neuroleptic-induced akathisia.

We conducted a randomized, double-blind clinical trial of propranolol versus placebo as a single treatment of neuroleptic-induced akathisia in eleven schizophrenic patients. Neither propranolol nor placebo treated patients showed a significant improvement in akathisia. While propranolol may be useful as an adjunct to anticholinergic medication in the treatment of neuroleptic-induced akathisia, propranolol does not appear to be effective within 48 hours as a primary treatment in a select group of schizophrenic patients.