Prophylactic Anticholinergic Medications to Prevent Drug-Induced Extrapyramidal Symptoms: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Neuroleptic medications are commonly administered in the emergency department but are known to induce extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) in some patients; typically dystonia and akathisia. This systematic review will examine if adjunctive medications are efficacious when given in conjunction with neuroleptic medications to prevent these extrapyramidal symptoms. The Central, DARE, LILACS, PubMed, CINAHL, and OVID databases were searched for relevant articles between January 2014 and February 2016. Inclusion criteria required the article to be a randomized controlled trial; administer an anticholinergic medication given concurrently or just prior to treatment with medications with known extrapyramidal side effects; and be published in English. The initial search strategy yielded 1222 prospective articles of which 1208 were excluded by title and/or abstract. Fourteen articles were retrieved in full text and independently reviewed by each author. Seven 7 RCTs representing 645 patients were determined to be appropriate for analysis. Meta‐analysis of 5 studies found a significant effect (OR 0.4 with 95% CI 0.23‐0.71) for utilizing anticholinergic adjunct medications in the prevention of EPS for 60 minutes after administration. No reduction was found (OR 1.14 with 95% CI 0.01‐164) in EPS after 60 minutes in meta‐analysis of 2 studies with opposing results. Adjunctive anticholinergic medication was effective in reducing symptoms of dystonia (OR 0.13 with 95% CI 0.04‐0.43) but not in reducing symptoms of akathisia (OR 0.74 with 95% CI 0.27‐1.98). This systematic review found that anticholinergic adjuvant anticholinergic treatment reduced EPS induced by antipsychotic medications during 60 minutes after administration, with the greatest reduction in dystonic symptoms.