I warn my children before they take any drug to check the side effects for the term “Extrapyramidal symptoms” because I have all 4 and I don’t want them to end up like me.
The glossary from the old Parkinson’s UK information sheet on Drug-induced Parkinsonism gives the following explanation:
“Extrapyramidal side effects– term used to describe the development of a variety of movement disorders as a result of taking certain medications such as neuroleptic drugs. These side effects may include akathisia (restlessness), dystonias (involuntary, sustained muscle spasms), parkinsonism and tardive dyskinesias (abnormal, involuntary muscle movements).”
Unfortunately this is not always straightforward, as the side effects are split up/listed under different categories and not necessarily identifying them as belonging to either akathisia, dystonia, tardive dyskinesia or parkinsonism.
For example you might look up the patient information leaflet for a particular drug and recognise various side effects as parkinsonian but you are not warned “this drug may cause parkinsonism”. Sometimes, especially on the Information for Health Professionals section, Tardive dyskinesia is specifically mentioned. Akathisia may also mentioned but sometimes the leaflet does not make it clear that, when severe, this side effect can lead to suicidal ideation. Sometimes if the name of the condition is omitted and there is just a cluster of symptoms you have no idea what you are really looking at.
Recently I looked up Amitriptyline on three different sites and tried to group the side effects under the appropriate headings. I’m sure you can find more. The object of this exercise being to raise awareness and encourage you to look things up yourself. No health professional ever warned or informed me about extrapyramidal symptoms. Early identification is important to help prevent the development of a permanent condition.
ELAVIL Generic Name: amitriptyline Medical Editor: John P. Cunha, Last updated on RxList: 8/13/2021
https://www.drugs.com/sfx/amitriptyline-side-effects.html
Amitriptyline Side Effects Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 20, 2021.
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/5698/smpc#gref
Amitriptyline 10mg Tablets BP Last updated on emc: 26 Apr 2022 Accord-UK Ltd
Extrapyramidal side effects/disorder:
Akathisia:
mood or behavior changes, unusual changes in behavior. impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive anxiety, panic attacks, or if you feel, restless, feeling of inner restlessness and a compelling need to be in constant motion, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.; (insomnia, difficulties sleeping, trouble sleeping, sleep disturbances
Parkinsonism:
Tremors, shakiness of hands or other body parts.
Muscle rigidity muscle stiffness,
Ataxia, Incoordination
mask-like facial expressions,
dysgeusia, unusual taste, changes in taste
paraesthesia, numbness or tingling in the arms or legs
speech disorders (dysarthria)., slurred or slow speech
hyperhydrosis, excessive sweating, increased perspiration
urination disorders, urinary frequency, constipation
lethargy, fatigue. somnolence,
Tardive dyskinesia:
Abnormal voluntary movements, abnormal involuntary movements and muscle spasms