[Drug-induced Parkinsonism: A Psychiatric Perspective]

Abstract

Drug-induced parkinsonism (DIP) refers to a parkinsonian syndrome resulting from the use of drugs, such as antipsychotics, whose primary mechanism of action is dopamine receptor blockade. The clinical features of DIP typically include action tremors, muscular stiffness, slowness of movement, and postural instability, often with minimal lateral asymmetry. The diagnosis of DIP requires a thorough review of the patient's medication history and the exclusion of differential disorders, and the recommended management is discontinuation or dose reduction of the potentially causative agent. In patients with schizophrenia, switching the offending antipsychotic to another, preferably second-generation antipsychotic agent, is also recommended. This treatment strategy can be adapted to prevent DIP as well.