Effect of anticholinergics on tardive dyskinesia. A controlled discontinuation study.
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, ten chronic schizophrenic patients with pronounced symptoms of tardive dyskinesia (TD) were withdrawn from anticholinergic medication. All patients had previously been under long-term treatment with neuroleptics and anticholinergics for at least two years. The rating-scales used were the AIMS, our own TD Scale, and the Simpson-Angus scale for extra-pyramidal side-effects. The severity of TD decreased significantly in nine patients with in two weeks; this improvement, most pronounced in the oral region (P less than .001), persisted during a six-week placebo period. There was a slight increase in parkinsonian symptoms (P less than .05), which was not a prerequisite for improvement in TD. Hence, discontinuation of anticholinergic medication is a possible therapeutic approach in patients with TD.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001712:Biperiden / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004409:Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010880:Piperidines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010880:Piperidines; D001712:Biperiden