Usefulness of trihexyphenidyl in the prevention of movement disorders induced by typical neuroleptics

Abstract:

INTRODUCTION: Drugs with anticholinergic effects have been considered for many years as first-line medications for treatment and prevention of movement disorders induced by neuroleptics. However, its usefulness is not well established. OBJECTIVE: To describe the experience with trihexyphenidyl therapy for the prevention of dyskinesias in patients with chronic psychosis medicated with classical antipsychotic drugs. METHODS: A quasi-experimental, observational study was performed on patients with chronic psychosis medicated with fluphenazine decanoate and other neuroleptics, under treatment or not with trihexyphenidyl. RESULTS: A total of 64 patients were included, among whom schizophrenia predominated; 56.2% (36 cases) was medicated with trihexyphenidyl from the start of treatment with fluphenazine decanoate. The mean treatment period was 66.9 months. In 60.9% (39 patients) some variant of movement disorders were found and these were more frequent in cases medicated with trihexyphenidyl (61.5 vs. 38.5%). The predominant movement disorders were parkinsonism (n = 19, 29.7%), followed by akathisia (n = 7, 10.9%) and tardive dyskinesia (n = 4, 11.1%). CONCLUSION: In this observational study it was not evidenced the usefulness of trihexyphenidyl in the prophylaxis of neuroleptic-induced dyskinesias.

Año de publicación:

2014

Keywords:

• Trihexyphenidyl
• Movements disorders
• Neuroleptic
• Chronic psychosis
• Parkinsonism

Fuente:

scopus