The use of clonidine in the treatment of neuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesia.
A double-blind crossover comparison of clonidine and placebo was conducted in seven subjects afflicted with neuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesia (TD). Subjects received either clonidine, 0.4 mg/day, or placebo for a period of 8 weeks and were then crossed over to the opposing treatment modality. The effects of clonidine on TD symptomatology could not be distinguished from those of placebo (p greater than 0.05). However, comparison of prestudy ratings of TD severity to poststudy ratings revealed a significant reduction in TD symptoms (p less than 0.01). Close analysis of the data indicates that clonidine's effect on TD may have carried over into the placebo phase of the study, masking any true differences between clonidine and placebo treatment. Other factors which may have contributed to the lack of significant findings are discussed.
Browne
J
J
Silver
H
H
Martin
R
R
Hart
R
R
Mergener
M
M
Williams
P
P
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003000:Clonidine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004409:Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003000:Clonidine