The authors performed a prospective double-blind study of 39 inpatients
beginning high-potency neuroleptics. Patients were randomly assigned to a
7-day course of benztropine or placebo in addition to a neuroleptic. Of 17
patients receiving placebo, eight (47%) suffered an acute dystonic
reaction; of 22 patients receiving benztropine, none suffered this
reaction--a highly significant difference. The authors also found minimal
anticholinergic toxicity attributable to the addition of benztropine to the
neuroleptic regimen. These results suggest that an initial 7-day
prophylaxis with benztropine is a high-benefit, low-risk adjunctive
treatment to neuroleptic therapy.Abstract Teaser