Use of clonidine in treating neuroleptic-induced akathisia.
Six patients with akathisia were treated with clonidine in an open, on-drug/off-drug trial. All six patients demonstrated substantial improvement of their akathisia, with four of the six obtaining complete remission. The dose of clonidine used to treat the remaining two patients was limited by the development of symptomatic hypotension. Daily doses ranged from 0.2 to 0.8 mg, and maximal response to a particular dose occurred within 24 to 48 hours. Although no effects on lithium tremor, parkinsonism, or tardive dyskinesia were observed, two bipolar patients exhibited considerable improvement in their manic and psychotic symptoms during treatment with clonidine.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017109:Akathisia, Drug-Induced; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy; D003000:Clonidine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019965:Neurocognitive Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000188:drug therapy; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003000:Clonidine