Related Experiment Videos
Amantadine in drug-induced extrapyramidal signs: a comparative study
International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Biopharmacy
|June 1, 1975
Summary
Amantadine effectively managed drug-induced extrapyramidal signs, similar to benztropine and ethopropazine. Amantadine showed fewer side effects, offering a potential alternative for patients intolerant to anticholinergic antiparkinsonian drugs.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Drug-induced extrapyramidal signs (EPS) are common side effects of antipsychotic medications.
- Standard treatments like benztropine and ethopropazine are effective but can have significant anticholinergic side effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy and side effect profile of amantadine with standard antiparkinsonian medications (benztropine, ethopropazine) in managing drug-induced EPS.
- To evaluate amantadine as a potential alternative for patients intolerant to anticholinergic agents.
Main Methods:
- A non-blind comparative study was conducted.
- Patients with drug-induced EPS were treated with amantadine, benztropine, or ethopropazine.
Main Results:
- Amantadine demonstrated comparable efficacy to benztropine and ethopropazine in controlling drug-induced EPS.
- Statistically significant improvement was observed one week after treatment initiation for all three drugs.
- Extrapyramidal signs were not completely resolved in most patients, highlighting limitations of current treatments.
- Amantadine exhibited the fewest side effects among the tested medications.
- An incidental observation of mood improvement in two patients with depression warrants further investigation.
Conclusions:
- Amantadine is a valuable antiparkinsonian medication, comparable to standard treatments.
- Its favorable side effect profile makes it particularly suitable for patients unable to tolerate anticholinergic antiparkinsonian drugs.
- Current antiparkinsonian medications have limitations in completely controlling EPS over time.