Olanzapine-Induced Parkinsonism and Akathisia: A Case Report

This article sheds light on the case of a 22-year-old patient with paranoid schizophrenia. A treatment regimen of olanzapine (an atypical antipsychotic) of 15 mg/day was initiated for the patient and it was associated with extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) such as drug-induced parkinsonism (DIP) and akathisia. Based on the different treatment regimens available, the patient was switched to an alternate antipsychotic along with anticholinergics, antihistamines, and benzodiazepines, following which the patient recovered well and did not report any further side effects. The highlighted case stresses the need for proper monitoring of the drug dose and sequential periodic examination of the patient to nullify the risk of adverse effects and poor compliance.