Abstract
BackgroundAtypical antipsychotic drugs have been reported to cause fewer incidences of extrapyramidal side effects (EPS) than typical antipsychotic drugs, but adverse events such as akathisia have been observed even with atypical antipsychotic drugs. Although understanding of the pathophysiology of akathisia remains limited, it seems that a complex interaction of several neurotransmitter systems plays a role in its pathophysiology. The endoplasmic reticulum protein sigma-1 receptors have been shown to regulate a number of neurotransmitter systems in the brain.MethodsWe report on five cases in which monotherapy of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor and sigma-1 receptor agonist fluvoxamine was effective in ameliorating the akathisia of patients with schizophrenia treated with the new atypical antipsychotic drug blonanserin.ResultsThe global score on the Barnes Akathisia Scale in five patients with schizophrenia treated with blonanserin rapidly decreased after fluvoxamine treatment.ConclusionDoctors should consider that fluvoxamine may be an alternative approach in treating akathisia associated with atypical antipsychotic drugs.
Highlights
Atypical antipsychotic drugs have been reported to cause fewer incidences of extrapyramidal side effects (EPS) than typical antipsychotic drugs, but adverse events such as akathisia have been observed even with atypical antipsychotic drugs
We reported on cases in which fluvoxamine was effective in treating aripiprazole-induced akathisia in patients with schizophrenia, suggesting that fluvoxamine would be a potential therapeutic drug for antipsychotic-induced akathisia [14]
We reported that fluvoxamine is effective in the treatment of aripiprazole-induced akathisia in patients with schizophrenia [14]
Summary
We report on five cases in which monotherapy of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor and sigma-1 receptor agonist fluvoxamine was effective in ameliorating the akathisia of patients with schizophrenia treated with the new atypical antipsychotic drug blonanserin
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