Gabapentin in the treatment of antipsychotic-induced akathisia in schizophrenia.
Antipsychotic-induced akathisia is characterized by subjective and objective motor restlessness, which is observed as a common extrapyramidal side-effect of antipsychotic agents. A patient is described who had antipsychotic-induced akathisia unresponsive to conventional therapy, and who began gabapentin therapy for insomnia. Significant improvement in his akathisia occurred when the gabapentin dose was increased, and his other treatment for akathisia was decreased and discontinued. Gabapentin may be effective by mechanisms similar to its action in restless legs syndrome and Parkinsonism, and/or via the GABA neurotransmitter system.
Pfeffer
Gerald
G
Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Chouinard
Guy
G
Margolese
Howard C
HC
D000328:Adult; D017109:Akathisia, Drug-Induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000588:Amines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003975:Diazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012563:Schizophrenia, Paranoid / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000588:Amines; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin; D003975:Diazepam