Prevalence and Treatment of Drug-Induced Extrapyramidal Symptoms

A prospective follow-up of schizophrenic patients treated with depot neuroleptic injections demonstrated the variability of the prevalence rate of morbidity from drug-induced extrapyramidal symptoms. Factors influencing this morbidity are discussed. This study suggests that the need for the treatment of drug-induced symptoms by the use of antiparkinsonian drugs is less than commonly accepted. It is suggested that our psychological set to the problem of drug-induced side-effects requires revision, and in particular that the prescription of anticholinergic drugs needs justification.