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Pharmacopsychiatry 2000; 33(Suppl 1): 43-46
DOI: 10.1055/s-2000-7583
Review
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Abuse Potential of Anticholinergics

M. Dose1 , H. D. Tempel2
  • 1BKH Taufkirchen, Germany
  • 2Knoll AG Ludwigshafen, Germany
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Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2000 (online)

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Anticholinergics are widely used to treat extrapyramidal motor symptoms caused by neuroleptics or other drugs with antidopaminergic (dopamine D2 ) effects. In the medical literature, occasional reports are concerned with the abuse of centrally acting anticholinergic compounds. These drugs may be abused because of their stimulant effects, mostly by patients on neuroleptic treatment. Their supposed “euphoric” effect when too quickly parenterally administered (only after previous treatment with neuroleptics) seems to consist in the abolition of neuroleptic-induced anhedonia. In a few patients, excessive use of anticholinergics persists in the face of detrimental effects and is, therefore, properly termed “abuse”. More commonly, however, patients with schizophrenia take more than the recommended dose of anticholinergics in an attempt to treat the adverse effects of neuroleptics. The abuse of anticholinergics in addicts who are not using neuroleptics is low.

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Dr. H. D. Tempel

KNOLL AG

Postfach 21 08 05, 67008 Ludwigshafen, Germany

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