Which medication is commonly used to treat extrapyramidal symptoms such as dystonia?

Which medication is commonly used to treat extrapyramidal symptoms such as dystonia?

• A. Benztropine
• B. Ibuprofen
• C. Lorazepam
• D. Acetaminophen

Answer: (A)

Extrapyramidal symptoms from dopamine-blocking medications are caused by an imbalance in the basal ganglia between dopamine and acetylcholine. An anticholinergic that blocks muscarinic receptors in the brain can restore that balance and relieve dystonia, which presents as painful, prolonged muscle contractions of the face, neck, or tongue. Benztropine fits this need best because it acts centrally as an antimuscarinic, directly reducing cholinergic activity in the CNS to counteract the dystonic effects of dopamine blockade. The other options don’t target this mechanism: ibuprofen and acetaminophen address pain or fever rather than motor symptoms; lorazepam can provide general muscle relaxation but is not the first-line treatment for dystonia; thus they don’t effectively treat the underlying imbalance that causes EPS.

Extrapyramidal symptoms from dopamine-blocking medications are caused by an imbalance in the basal ganglia between dopamine and acetylcholine. An anticholinergic that blocks muscarinic receptors in the brain can restore that balance and relieve dystonia, which presents as painful, prolonged muscle contractions of the face, neck, or tongue. Benztropine fits this need best because it acts centrally as an antimuscarinic, directly reducing cholinergic activity in the CNS to counteract the dystonic effects of dopamine blockade. The other options don’t target this mechanism: ibuprofen and acetaminophen address pain or fever rather than motor symptoms; lorazepam can provide general muscle relaxation but is not the first-line treatment for dystonia; thus they don’t effectively treat the underlying imbalance that causes EPS.