Effects of a specific beta 2-receptor blocker in neuroleptic-induced akathisia

• Published in: Psychiatry research Vol. 27; no. 1; pp. 1 - 4
• Main Authors: Adler, Lenard, Duncan, Erica, Angrist, Burt, Hemdal, Paula, Rotrosen, John, Slotnick, Victor
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier Ireland Ltd 1989
• Subjects: Adrenergic beta-Antagonists - therapeutic use; Adult; Akathisia, Drug-Induced; Antipsychotic Agents - adverse effects; Antipsychotic Agents - therapeutic use; beta blocker; Chronic Disease; Double-Blind Method; Humans; ICI 118; Male; Neuroleptic-induced akathisia; Propanolamines - therapeutic use; propranolol; Propranolol - therapeutic use; Psychomotor Agitation - drug therapy; Random Allocation; Schizophrenia - drug therapy; side effect; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - drug therapy; ICI 118; Neuroleptic-induced akathisia; 551; side effect; beta blocker; propranolol
• ISSN: 0165-1781; 1872-7123
• DOI: 10.1016/0165-1781(89)90002-4

To assess the role of blockade of β-receptor subpopulations in the treatment of neuroleptic-onduced akathisia (NIA), the specific β 2-antagonist ICI 118,551 was compared to placebo in a double-blind study. After a baseline evaluation on placebo, patients were treated with ICI 118,551 or placebo. Five of six patients treated with ICI 118,551 showed improvements in NIA, while only one of four patients improved on placebo. Patients were then treated openly with propranolol, a mixed β 1, β 2-antagonist. Compared to ICI 118,551, no further improvement on objective measures of akathisia was seen on propranolol. Mean subjective assessments of NIA declined on propranolol, but changes were variable and not statistically significant.