[Dopamine-receptor stimulators and neuroleptic-induced dyskinesia (author's transl)]

Abstract

We have examined bromocriptine, levodopa and trihexyphenydil ins ingle-blind design in 16 chronic productive schizophrenics having the same degree of tardive dyskinesias. Treatment time for each patient was 60 days: Bromocriptine was given in mean daily doses of 32 mg, levodopa 3,2 g and trihexyphenydil 27 mg. Bromocriptine and trihexyphenydil allowed the continued use of neuroleptics, without necessitating an increase in dosage. On the other hand, with levodopa 25% of the patients deteriorated, and this could not be prevented by increasing the dose of neuroleptics. Bromocriptine and trihexyphenydil permitted treatment of tardive dyskinesias, whereby bromocriptione was clinically (and statistically) superior to trihexyphenydil. Trihexyphenydil had only a slight effect on tremor, whilst treatment with levodopa was ineffective.