PROCYCLIDINE AND BENZTROPINE METHANESULFONATE COMPARED IN DRUG INDUCED EXTRAPYRAMIDAL REACTIONS

Seventy patients on acute intensive treatment with chlorpromazine, trifluoperazine, and fluphenazine were placed at random in two groups. Group A treated with benztropine methanesulfonate had 40 extrapyramidal symptoms of which 35 improved. Blurred vision or dry mouth developed in 17 instances. Group B treated with procyclidine had 40 extrapyramidal symptoms of which 39 improved with the development of only one side effect—blurred vision—in two patients. On the basis of this study it appears that procyclidine was the most effective drug in alleviating extrapyramidal symptoms. The number of side effects developing with procyclidine were at a minimum.