Author/Authors :
Shams-Alizadeh, Narges Department of Psychiatry - Faculty of Medicine - Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran , Bakhshayesh, Hamid Department of Psychiatry - Faculty of Medicine - Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran , Rezaei, Farzin Department of Psychiatry - Faculty of Medicine - Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran , Ghaderi, Ebrahim Social Determinants of Health Research Center - Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran , Shams- Alizadeh, Nasim Lifestyle modification research center - Imam Reza hospital - Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran , Hassanzadeh, Kambiz Cellular and Molecular Research Center - Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
Abstract :
Akathisia is a common adverse effect of antipsychotic drugs and is characterized by
subjective feelings of restlessness. First-line treatment usually consists of propranolol, a beta
adrenergic antagonist. However, propranolol does not seem to be efficacious in up to 70%
of patients. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of vitamin B6 versus propranolol
on antipsychotic-induced akathisia (AIA). This study was a comparative, double-blind,
randomized trial. In the present study, 66 adult patients with antipsychotic-induced akathisia
were enrolled and randomized into three groups, and received vitamin B6 300 mg/12 h or 600
mg/12 h or propranolol 20 mg/12 h. The diagnosis of AIA was made by clinical examination
and its severity was assessed by the Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale.
Fifty one patients completed 5 days of the trial. The results showed that there was no
significant difference in BARS score among the different groups which means that vitamin
B6 attenuated the AIA similar to propranolol. However, there wasn’t any significant difference
between high or low dose of vitamin B6. In conclusion, the results of this trial suggest that
vitamin B6 may be beneficial for ameliorating of antipsychotic-induced akathisia.
Keywords :
Vitamin B6 , Propranolol , Clinical trial , Akathisia , Antipsychotic
