Abstract
Background: Although propranolol has been documented to be useful in treatment of neuroleptic-induced akathisia, preliminary anecdotal reports on the efficacy of nadolol in treatment of this condition are contradictory. Method: To evaluate the efficacy of nadolol in treatment of this condition, a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in 20 psychiatric inpatients. Patients with akathisia of at least moderate severity were randomly assigned to receive nadolol 40 to 80 mg/day or placebo. Patients were rated daily for 4 days, then every other day for 15 days by means of the Extrapyramidal Symptom Rating Scale. Results: No significant differences were found between or within groups in subjective restlessness scores. In objective akathisia scores, there were no significant differences between groups; however, beginning at Day 9, both groups showed significant improvement compared with Day 1. There was no difference between groups in number of responders. Conclusions: The authors' data do not support the efficacy of nadolol in the treatment of neuroleptic-induced akathisia and do not provide support for a peripheral site of action for β-blockers in treatment of this condition.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 255-260 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Journal of Clinical Psychiatry |
Volume | 52 |
Issue number | 6 |
State | Published - 1991 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychiatry and Mental health