title: Treatment of neuroleptic induced akathisia with the 5-HT2 antagonist ritanserin.
abstract: Akathisia is a frequent and distressing side effect of antipsychotic medication. Little is known about its pathophysiology. Treatment trials of serotonin antagonists in Parkinson's disease and neuroleptic-induced Parkinsonism have been disappointing, with the possible exception of akathisia which has been reported to respond favorably to ritanserin. We report first results of a single-blind trial of ritanserin in the treatment of neuroleptic-induced akathisia. Ten patients received a mean dose of 13.5 mg/day (SD +/- 5.8) ritanserin for 2 to 4 days. Treatment response was assessed by the Hillside Akathisia Scale (HAS). HAS baseline ratings were 16.4 (+/- 6). After 3 days of treatment, these values dropped to 7.4 (+/- 5.2). This amelioration was statistically significant (p = .0069 matched-pairs signed rank test). Two patients did not respond. These results, although preliminary in nature, are encouraging and warrant further studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Innsbruck University Hospital, Austria.
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: W W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Fleischhacker
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ehrmann
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kane
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D017109:Akathisia, Drug-Induced; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010880:Piperidines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000188:drug therapy; D016713:Ritanserin; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010880:Piperidines; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D016713:Ritanserin