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What drugs cause acute dystonia

Author

Matthew Martinez

Updated on April 12, 2026

Neuroleptics (antipsychotics), antiemetics, and antidepressants are the most common causes of drug-induced dystonic reactions. Acute dystonic reactions have been described with every antipsychotic. Alcohol and cocaine use increase risk.

What drugs cause tardive dystonia?

  • Chlorpromazine.
  • Fluphenazine.
  • Haloperidol.
  • Perphenazine.
  • Prochlorperazine.
  • Thioridazine.
  • Trifluoperazine.

What is a dystonic reaction to a drug?

Dystonic reactions are reversible extrapyramidal effects that can occur after administration of a neuroleptic drug. Symptoms may begin immediately or can be delayed hours to days. Although a wide variety of medications can elicit symptoms, the typical antipsychotics are most often responsible.

What drugs can cause extrapyramidal symptoms?

Extrapyramidal symptoms are most commonly caused by typical antipsychotic drugs that antagonize dopamine D2 receptors. The most common typical antipsychotics associated with EPS are haloperidol and fluphenazine.

Is acute dystonia permanent?

Most of these acute reactions can be successfully treated with injectable anticholinergic medication which will usually end the episode. Tardive dystonia is a more taxing condition as it can be permanent. Occasionally, symptoms do disappear but unfortunately this is rare (around 1 in 10 cases).

Can antidepressants cause dystonia?

Antidepressant drugs may also cause acute dystonia, and a number of case reports suggest that the risk of acute dystonia is higher when selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are used than when other types of antidepressants are used.

What drug causes jerky movements?

Tardive dyskinesia is a side effect of antipsychotic medications. These drugs are used to treat schizophrenia and other mental health disorders. TD causes stiff, jerky movements of your face and body that you can’t control. You might blink your eyes, stick out your tongue, or wave your arms without meaning to do so.

Which of the following antipsychotic drugs has the highest rate of extrapyramidal effects?

Risk factors are the choice of a particular second-generation agent (with clozapine carrying the lowest risk and risperidone the highest), high doses, history of previous extrapyramidal symptoms, and comorbidity.

Why do antipsychotic drugs cause extrapyramidal symptoms?

Antipsychotics block dopamine, which is what causes the extrapyramidal side effects in the first place. Anticholinergics increase dopamine so it becomes leveled out in your system.

What is acute dystonia?

Acute dystonic reaction is an acute neurological condition, commonly seen in the emergency department that is characterized by involuntary muscle contractions that may manifest as torticollis, opisthotonus, dysarthria and/or oculogyric crisis [1].

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Can maxolon cause dystonia?

Metoclopramide may cause extrapyramidal symptoms that generally manifest as acute dystonic reactions within the initial 24–48 hours of use. The risk of these reactions is increased at higher doses and in pediatric patients and adults <30 years of age.

Can Seroquel cause dystonia?

Quetiapine is a second-generation antipsychotic and known to be rare in causing extrapyramidal side effects with rates similar to placebo. Conclusions: There have been few documented cases of quetiapine-induced dystonia.

Can benzodiazepines cause dystonia?

Drug-induced dystonia (DID) may occur within minutes or hours or even days of exposure to an inciting drug. Gastrointestinal medications such as metoclopramide and levosulpiride were the most frequent cause of DID. DID responded well to benzodiazepines or benztropine and had benign courses.

Is dystonia a form of Parkinson's?

Dystonia can be a symptom of Parkinson’s and some other diseases and is a movement disorder on its own. Painful, prolonged muscle contractions cause abnormal movements and postures, such as a foot turning inward or the head tilting sideways.

How do you reverse acute dystonia?

Anticholinergic agents and benzodiazepines are the most commonly used agents to reverse or reduce symptoms in an acute dystonic reaction. Acute dystonic reactions are often transient but can cause significant distress to the patient.

Does Benadryl help with dystonia?

Main Outcome Measure: Dystonia evaluation. Results: Diphenhydramine therapy was associated with minimal side effects, and it was most effective in treating patients with dystonia who experienced lightning jerks.

Does Wellbutrin cause involuntary movements?

Anormal involuntary movements apperared two months after bupropion dose was increased to 300 mg per day and disappeared five months after discontinuation of bupropion with simultaneous use of lorazepam. In literature, there has been three reported cases of dyskinesia associated with bupropion.

Can Adderall cause involuntary movement?

But at higher doses or through methods of abuse Adderall can cause signs of impaired cognitive function, signs of psychosis, and produce movement disorders, such as chorea.

Does Seroquel cause movement disorders?

Serious Side Effects Tardive dyskinesia, a movement disorder, may occur and may not go away after you stop using Seroquel. 2 This was much more common with the older antipsychotic medications, but can very rarely occur with the newer atypical agents such as Seroquel.

Can amantadine cause dystonia?

Drug-induced extrapyramidal reactions, mainly caused by antipsychotics, has led to many problematic symptoms such as dystonia, pseudo-parkinsonism, akathisia, and tardive dyskinesia. Anticholinergics, such as amantadine have been used to treat extrapyramidal symptoms caused by antipsychotics for many years now.

Does Zoloft cause dystonia?

Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) could be adverse effects of SSRI, which include parkinsonism, dystonia, dyskinesia, and akathisia. [1] Sertraline has been reported to cause akathisia and dystonia, especially in older people.

Does Lexapro cause dystonia?

In our study, citalopram, escitalopram, mirtazapine, and paroxetine were associated with akathisia, fluoxetine and paroxetine were associated with dystonia, and venlafaxine was associated with tardive dyskinesia.

Which antipsychotics cause more extrapyramidal symptoms?

Nonetheless, reduced EPS are not the same as no EPS, and most of the newer antipsychotics can still cause EPS in some patients. The incidence of EPS differs among the SGAs, with risperidone associated with the most and clozapine and quetiapine with the fewest EPS.

What is neuroleptic syndrome?

INTRODUCTION Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a life-threatening neurologic emergency associated with the use of antipsychotic (neuroleptic) agents and characterized by a distinctive clinical syndrome of mental status change, rigidity, fever, and dysautonomia.

Can Seroquel cause extrapyramidal symptoms?

Some people may develop muscle related side effects while taking quetiapine. The technical terms for these are “extrapyramidal symptoms” (EPS) and “tardive dyskinesia” (TD). Symptoms of EPS include restlessness, tremor, and stiffness.

What is the oldest antipsychotic drug?

Chlorpromazine was the first antipsychotic and was followed by a large number of other antipsychotics, many with diverse chemical structures. However, so far, no antipsychotic has been shown to be significantly more effective than chlorpromazine in treating schizophrenia with the notable exception of clozapine.

Which antipsychotic medication is the most potent alpha 1 blocker?

Tamsulosin is most potent alpha 1 blocker and has the most selectivity for alpha 1a receptors. It has no beta-blocking activity.

Which drug is a low potency antipsychotic drug?

Typical examples of low-potency antipsychotic drugs are chlorpromazine, chlorprothixene, thioridazine or levomepromazine.

What is the symptoms of acute dystonic reaction?

Acute dystonic reactions are characterized by involuntary, slow, and sustained contractions of muscle groups which may result in twisting, repetitive movements, and abnormal posturing.

Can Zofran cause dystonic reaction?

Conclusions: Dystonia and seizures have been associated with ondansetron in a few case reports. In addition, clinicians need to consider hypoglycemia as a possible adverse effect of ondansetron.

What is the difference between an acute dystonia and tardive dyskinesia?

Tardive dyskinesia causes involuntary movements most commonly in areas of the face, eyes, and mouth. Dystonia, on the other hand, leads to involuntary muscular contractions that can affect the head, face, and neck.