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Akineton Uses
Akineton is used for treating Parkinson's disease and certain movement disorders caused by antipsychotic medications. Occasionally, it can be prescribed for other uses as well. One off-label Akineton use is for treating excessive drooling. This prescription medication is an anticholinergic and works by blocking a certain chemical in the nervous system. As a result, Akineton helps reestablish a normal balance of chemicals.
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Akineton® (biperiden hydrochloride) is a prescription medication approved to treat the following conditions:
- Extrapyramidal disorders (movement or muscle tension disorders) caused by antipsychotic medications
- Parkinson's disease and similar conditions (when used in combination with other medications).
Akineton belongs to a group of medicines known as anticholinergics.
Extrapyramidal symptoms (also known as EPS) is a term used to describe a set of side effects that is common with antipsychotic medications, as well as a few other types of medications. It is generally thought that older antipsychotic medications are more likely to cause such symptoms, although any antipsychotic medication can cause EPS. Extrapyramidal symptoms are usually divided into different categories. Dyskinesias are movement disorders, while dystonias are muscle tension disorders. "Tardive" symptoms are those that appear during long-term treatment (often after several years of treatment). Unlike earlier symptoms, tardive symptoms are more likely to be permanent, even after the medication is stopped.
Akineton can be effective at controlling most EPS. However, the drug should not be used to treat tardive dyskinesia, as it is not effective for this use and can even make this condition worse.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD