title: Efficacy of nefazodone in the treatment of neuroleptic induced extrapyramidal side effects: a double-blind randomised parallel group placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: Many atypical antipsychotics show antagonism at both serotonergic and dopaminergic neurones and show fewer extrapyramidal side effects (EPS). Nefazodone blocks postsynaptic 5HT2A receptors and weakly inhibits serotonin reuptake. This study aimed to elucidate the role of nefazodone in the treatment of antipsychotic-induced EPS. The trial was a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial of patients requiring antipsychotic treatment with haloperidol 10mg daily; from which a subgroup of patients who developed EPS were selected for the study. Patients were randomised to add-on therapy with either placebo (n=24) or nefazodone (n=25) 100mg bd. EPS were measured on days 0, 3 and 7 using the Simpson Angus, Barnes akathisia, abnormal involuntary movement and Chouinard scales. Nefazodone significantly reduced EPS as measured by both the Simpson Angus scale and CGI (p=0.007 and 0.0247, respectively). Akathisia and tardive dyskinesia did not differ between the two groups (p=0.601; p=0.507, respectively). These results suggest the role of 5HT2 antagonism in the mechanism of action of atypical antipsychotics with respect to lowering rates of drug-induced EPS. In addition, a therapeutic role for nefazodone is suggested in the treatment of antipsychotic-induced EPS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Witwatersrand University Medical School, 7 York Road, Parktown, 2193, South Africa.
authors.forename: Dora
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wynchank
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berk
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D001480:Basal Ganglia Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010879:Piperazines; D044348:Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT2 / Q000187:drug effects; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D014230:Triazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010879:Piperazines; D044348:Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT2; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D014230:Triazoles; C051752:nefazodone; D006220:Haloperidol