Information on drugs that can and do cause dystonia

Every now and then folks ask me to list the list of meds that can and do cause drug-induced movement disorders. This is to educate you, if you are concerned about the side effects of a drug you are currently taking, speak up, talk with your doctor. If you are starting a new one, you will be the only one to investigate it. Arm yourself with knowledge. Be an informed consumer. Listen to that little voice in your head, and be in tune with your body.

Remember, this is YOUR body. You have the right to ask questions and ultimately decide if a med is right for you. Please know that this list is limited and does NOT include all of them...for eg. Risperdal is not on it, but it does cause it. If I can help in any way with questions about this list or my other post, ask away.

*By the way, it does not take extended lengths of time taking these medications in order to experience acute dystonic reactions...for lots of folks, ONE pill is all it takes!

This drug list page is intended to provide information only! We do not advocate any particular treatment option. Therefore, it is strongly urged that patients do not change their method of treatment without first consulting with their physician.

INFORMATION ON DRUGS THAT CAN AND DO CAUSE DYSTONIA

"Some drugs in the neuroleptic category (psychiatric drugs) may cause acute dystonic reactions: thorazine, Haldol, etc. Ten to twenty percent of patients experience acute dystonic symptoms at the initiation on treatment. Some drugs that are used for nausea and gastrointestinal problems are also neuroleptic so they can cause the same problems - drugs like Reglan and Stematil. These can induce acute dystonia. All of these drugs, when they're used over long term, carry a 20 to 30 % risk of long-term abnormal movements called tardive dyskinesia, and some people with tardive dyskinesia get a form of dystonia, called tardive dystonia. It's an extremely difficult problem to treat."

"Alcohol is a recognized precipitant of paroxysmal dystonia, which is a very uncommon form. On the whole, alcohol in moderation does not have an adverse effect. There is an alcohol-responsive myoclonic dystonia, which responds very well to alcohol. People who chronically abuse alcohol can get a series of involuntary movements-tremors, Parkinsonism, and tardive dyskinesia. So chronic heavy alcohol intake is still not being recommended."

Drug Induced Dystonic Reactions:

Certain drugs have been implicated as causing dystonic reactions or dystonia. These agents are not routinely the cause of SD, but can potentiate or aggravate the preexisting disorder. The following is a listing of the drugs which have been reported OR have the potential to cause dystonic reactions. Whenever possible, dystonia patients should avoid the following agents, except at the recommendation of a physician knowledgeable in the treatment of dystonia.

GENERIC NAMETRADE NAMECLASSIFICATION

alprazolamXanaxAntianxiety agent

amitriptylineElavil, Endepantidepressant
amoxapineAsendinantidepressant
benzquinamideEmete-Conanti-nausea/vomiting agent
bupropionWellbutrinantidepressant
buspironeBusparantianxiety

carbamazepineTegretolanticonvulsant
chlorprothizeneTaractanneuroleptic
chlorpromazineThorazineneuroleptic
clomipramineAnafranilantidepressant
clozapineClozarilneuroleptic

desipramineNorpraminantidepressant
diphenhydramineBenadrylantihistamine (Increases theeffect of other pain medications)
doxepinAdapin, Sinequanantidepressant
droperidoInnovarantianxiety; anesthetic adjunct
fluoxetineProzacantidepressant

fluphenazineProlixinneuroleptic
haloperidolHaldolneuroleptic
imipramineTofranilantidepressant
levodopaLarodopa, Sinemetantiparkinson agent
lithiumEskalith, Lithobidantimanic agent

loxapineLoxitaneneuroleptic
mesoridazineSerentilneuroleptic
metoclopramideReglangastrointestinal motility stimulant;anti-nausea/vomiting agent
midazolamVersedinduction anesthetic agent
molindoneMobanneuroleptic

nortripylineAventyl, Pamelorantidepressant
perhenazineTrilafonneuroleptic
phenytoinDilantinanticonvulsant
pimozideOrapneuroleptic
prochlorperazineCompazineanti-nausea/vomiting agent

promazineSparineneuroleptic
promethazinePhenerganantihistamine
protriptylineVivactilantidepressant
thiethylperazineTorecananti-nausea/vomiting agent
thiothixeneNavaneneuroleptic

trifluoperazineStelazineneuroleptic
triflupromazineVesprinneuroleptic
thioridazineMellarilneuroleptic
trazadoneDesyrelantidepressant
trifluoperazineStelazineneuroleptic

trimipramineSurmontilantidepressant
verapamilCalan, Isoptinantianginal, antihypertensive

Dopamine antagonists which are generally used to treat psychotic disorders and have been reported to make dystonia worse, should be used with caution. They include phenothiazine, haloperidol, tetrabenazine and pimozide. These drugs are usually avoided in the treatment of one with dystonia due to the potential to worsen dystonia. But in some cases they may be useful. It is important that the doctor prescribing these types of drugs be familiar with dystonia.

More information on drugs that can and do cause dystonia: www.wemove.org

This message was posted on MGH Message Board by hilltopok

If you would like more information about tardive syndromes and the drugs that cause them, contact her at hilltopok@msn.com or visit her website at tardivedystonia.org Remember, you could be the one to save another from a life-long painful disorder. Please educate, then pass it along. Thanks so much!