Extrapyramidal symptoms
Extrapyramidal Symptoms
Extrapyramidal symptoms (pronounced: ek-struh-pi-ruh-mi-duhl sim-tuhms), also known as EPS, are a set of side effects that can occur with certain antipsychotic medications. They are named after the extrapyramidal system, which is a neural network in the brain involved in the coordination of movement.
Etymology
The term "extrapyramidal" is derived from the Greek words "extra" meaning outside and "pyramid" referring to the pyramidal tracts of the brain. The "symptoms" part of the term refers to the observable effects produced by the condition.
Symptoms
Extrapyramidal symptoms can include a variety of movement disorders, such as:
- Dystonia: Sustained muscle contractions cause twisting and repetitive movements or abnormal postures.
- Akathisia: A feeling of inner restlessness and inability to stay still.
- Parkinsonism: Symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease such as tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia (slowness of movement).
- Tardive dyskinesia: Involuntary, repetitive body movements.
Causes
Extrapyramidal symptoms are most commonly caused by the use of certain antipsychotic drugs, particularly the typical or first-generation antipsychotics. These drugs block the action of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in the control of movement.
Treatment
Treatment for extrapyramidal symptoms often involves reducing the dosage of the antipsychotic medication or switching to a different medication. In some cases, additional medications may be prescribed to help manage the symptoms.
Related Terms
- Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome: A rare but serious reaction to antipsychotic drugs.
- Serotonin Syndrome: A potentially life-threatening drug reaction that can occur with the use of certain medications.
- Anticholinergic: A type of drug used to block the action of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Extrapyramidal symptoms
- Wikipedia's article - Extrapyramidal symptoms
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski