Circadian pattern of acute, neuroleptic-induced dystonic reactions.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the timing of acute dystonic reactions in 200 patients taking neuroleptic medication for the first time.


METHODS
Two hundred patients received a twice-daily regimen of low-dose neuroleptic.


RESULTS
Over 80% of the episodes of acute dystonia occurred between 12:00 noon and 11:00 p.m. The observed circadian variation was not accounted for by sleep, fatigue, or time elapsed from the last dose of medication.


CONCLUSIONS
The finding of a diurnal pattern in one of the recognized side effects of neuroleptic medication suggests that the therapeutic efficacy of neuroleptics might similarly vary over the course of the day.
Mazurek
M F
MF
Department of Psychiatry, McMaster University Medical Centre, Hamilton, Ont., Canada.
Rosebush
P I
PI
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004421:Dystonia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents