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Cyproheptadine Treatment in Neuroleptic-Induced Akathisia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

David Weiss
Affiliation:
Gehah Psychiatric Hospital, Petah Tiqva and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University
Dov Aizenberg*
Affiliation:
Gehah Psychiatric Hospital, Petah Tiqva and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University
Haggai Hermesh
Affiliation:
Gehah Psychiatric Hospital, Petah Tiqva and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University
Zvi Zemishlany
Affiliation:
Gehah Psychiatric Hospital, Petah Tiqva and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University
Hanan Munitz
Affiliation:
Gehah Psychiatric Hospital, Petah Tiqva and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University
Margaret Radwan
Affiliation:
Gehah Psychiatric Hospital, Petah Tiqva and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University
Abraham Weizman
Affiliation:
Gehah Psychiatric Hospital and Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Petah Tiqva and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University
*
Dr Dov Aizenberg, Gehah Psychiatric Hospital, Beilinson Medical Center, PO Box 102, Petah Tiqva 49 100, Israel

Abstract

Background

Cyproheptadine, an antiserotonergic agent, was used to treat neuroleptic-induced akathisia.

Method

In an open clinical trial 17 neuroleptic-treated patients with akathisia were administered cyproheptadine (16 mg/day) over 4 days. Assessment of akathisia, psychosis and depression were monitored by BAS, BPRS and HAM-D.

Results

All subjects showed improvement in the severity of akathisia, which in the majority (15/17) was of a marked degree. There was no aggravation of psychosis or depression. Symptoms of akathisia returned when cyproheptadine was discontinued.

Conclusions

Cyproheptadine may be useful in neuroleptic-induced akathisia.

Type
Papers
Copyright
Copyright © 1995 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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