Effect of clonazepam on tardive akathisia

Abstract

Clonazepam was administered to nine patients with tardive akathisia which could not be controlled by antiparkinsonian drugs, and a good response was obtained in all cases. The daily dose of clonazepam given was only 1.0-3.0 mg. In two of the nine patients, akathisia recurred when the dose of clonazepam was reduced, but disappeared again after the dose was increased again. Clonazepam appears to be worth trying in patients with tardive akathisia, and is effective at relatively low doses. However, a dose reduction should be performed with caution, since there is the possibility that akathisia will recur.KEY woms-Clonazepam, tardive akathisia, neuroleptic-induced akathisia.