In this study, a comparative evaluation on clinical efficacy between intravenous lorazepam and diphenhydramine for extrapyramidal symptoms occurring on neuroleptic therapy was made. Subjects were consisted of 42 cases including 8 males and 34 females....
In this study, a comparative evaluation on clinical efficacy between intravenous lorazepam and diphenhydramine for extrapyramidal symptoms occurring on neuroleptic therapy was made. Subjects were consisted of 42 cases including 8 males and 34 females. They were under double-blind procedure, given single injection of 4 milligrams of lorazepam (21 cases) and of 50 milligrams of diphenhydramine (21 cases) separately.
The results were as follows:
1. Most of extrapyramidal symptoms including parkinsonian symptoms, akathisia and dystonia were noted to be significantly improved 60 minutes after injection on EPS Rating Scale scores.
2. BPRS evaluation at 60 minutes after injection resulted in significant reduction of the total mean scores in both groups, although no significant difference can be made in terms of efficacy between the groups.
3. Clinically it can be suggested that the sedative effect of diphenhydramine was less potent than that of lorazepam.
The above mentioned results suggest that lorazepam and diphenhydramine may well be the drugs of choice for the treatment of extrapyramidal symptoms occurring on the neuroleptic therapy.