J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.
1997 Sep;36(5):935-941.
The Effect of Cyproheptadine Treatment in Neuroleptic Induced Akathisia
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Neuropsychiatry, Chu-an Hospital, Soonchunhyang University, College of Medicine, Chunan, Korea.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
Neuroleptic Induced Akathisia(NIA) often occurs in neuroleptic treated patients. Cyproheptadine, an antiserotonergic agent, was used to treat neuroleptic induced akathisia. METHOD: In an open trial 21 neuroleptic-treated patients with akathisia were administrated Cyproheptadine(16mg/day) over 4 days. Assessment of akathisia was evaluated using Barnes' rating scale(BAS) for neuroleptic induced akathisia. The degree of depression and psychosis were assessed by brief psychiatric rating scale(BFRS) and Hamilton rating scale for depression(HAM-D). RESULT: Most patients(20 of 21) with neuroleptic induced akathisia(NIA) showed improvement under the treatment of cyproheptadine. There was no aggravation of psychosis or depression during the treatment. Symptoms of akathisia aggravated when cyproheptadine was discontinued.
CONCLUSION
Cyproheptadine may be useful in the treatment of neuroleptic induced akathisia(NIA).
