Drug-induced parkinsonism
Parkinson-like effects are brought about by a dopaminergic deficit in the nigrostriatal tracts. Various drugs antagonise the action of dopamine receptors in this are and therefore may produce parkinsonism.
These include:
- phenothiazines e.g. chlorpromazine
- butyrophenones e.g. haloperidol
- thioxanthines e.g. flupenthixol
- antiemetics e.g. metoclopramide, prochlorperazine
- methyldopa
- occasionally parkinsonism has been reported with other drugs including tricyclic antidepressants and lithium
Management:
- if it is not possible to reduce the dosage of the drug then treatment can be undertaken with anticholinergic drugs e.g. procyclidine. Levodopa should not be used to treat drug-induced parkinsonism
Reference
- Drug-Induced Parkinsonism; Parkinson's UK (online 2025)
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