title: Prevention of acute dystonic reactions in patients beginning high-potency neuroleptics.
abstract: The authors performed a prospective double-blind study of 39 inpatients beginning high-potency neuroleptics. Patients were randomly assigned to a 7-day course of benztropine or placebo in addition to a neuroleptic. Of 17 patients receiving placebo, eight (47%) suffered an acute dystonic reaction; of 22 patients receiving benztropine, none suffered this reaction--a highly significant difference. The authors also found minimal anticholinergic toxicity attributable to the addition of benztropine to the neuroleptic regimen. These results suggest that an initial 7-day prophylaxis with benztropine is a high-benefit, low-risk adjunctive treatment to neuroleptic therapy.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Winslow
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Stillner
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Coons
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Robison
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Robinson
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001590:Benztropine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004421:Dystonia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011897:Random Allocation; D014326:Tropanes / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D014326:Tropanes; D001590:Benztropine