Gabapentin in the treatment of antipsychotic-induced akathisia in schizophrenia.

Antipsychotic-induced akathisia is characterized by subjective and objective motor restlessness, which is observed as a common extrapyramidal side-effect of antipsychotic agents. A patient is described who had antipsychotic-induced akathisia unresponsive to conventional therapy, and who began gabapentin therapy for insomnia. Significant improvement in his akathisia occurred when the gabapentin dose was increased, and his other treatment for akathisia was decreased and discontinued. Gabapentin may be effective by mechanisms similar to its action in restless legs syndrome and Parkinsonism, and/or via the GABA neurotransmitter system.