Antipsychotic-withdrawal akathisia versus antipsychotic-induced akathisia: further evidence for the existence of tardive akathisia

J Clin Psychiatry. 1988 Nov;49(11):435-8.

Abstract

The authors present a study in which 33 chronic schizophrenic patients who, when withdrawn from antipsychotic drug treatment for more than 2 weeks, presented with concurrent signs of akathisia and tardive dyskinesia; however, signs of akinesia, facial masking, rigidity, or dystonia were not concurrent with the patients' akathetic presentation. In a subsequent study phase, these patients were treated with antipsychotics for up to 6 weeks. The dyskinetic signs that had been dramatically more severe in those patients exhibiting akathisia following withdrawal from antipsychotic medication continued for up to 6 weeks following the renewal of antipsychotic drug therapy. These findings help to confirm a relationship between tardive dyskinesia and a persistent akathisia of later onset known as tardive akathisia.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Akathisia, Drug-Induced*
  • Ambulatory Care
  • Antipsychotic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antipsychotic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Basal Ganglia Diseases / chemically induced
  • Chlorpromazine / administration & dosage
  • Chlorpromazine / adverse effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / complications
  • Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / etiology
  • Female
  • Hospitalization
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Psychomotor Agitation / complications
  • Schizophrenia / drug therapy*
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / etiology*

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Chlorpromazine