drug-induced parkinsonism

Last reviewed 04/2023

Parkinson-like effects are brought about by a dopaminergic deficit in the nigrostriatal tracts. Various drugs antagonise the action of dopamine receptors in this are and therefore may produce parkinsonism.

These include:

  • phenothiazines e.g. chlorpromazine
  • butyrophenones e.g. haloperidol
  • thioxanthines e.g. flupenthixol
  • antiemetics e.g. metoclopramide, prochlorperazine
  • methyldopa
  • occasionally parkinsonism has been reported with other drugs including tricyclic antidepressants and lithium

Management:

  • if it is not possible to reduce the dosage of the drug then treatment can be undertaken iwht anticholingergic drugs e.g. procyclidine. Levodopa should not be used to treat drug-induced parkinsonism