Antipsychotic drug-induced acute laryngeal dystonia: two case reports and a mini review

Abstract

Antipsychotic-induced laryngeal dystonia is a life-threatening side-effect of both high- and low-potency classical antipsychotics, and its diagnosis often remains elusive. We review all cases of acute laryngeal dystonia due to antipsychotics available in the literature, including controversial ones, and add two new cases. There are no reports of acute laryngeal dystonia due to atypical antipsychotics. Antipsychotic-induced laryngeal dystonia has been reported predominantly in young males, but does not correlate to the dosage or the category of the drug. There have been reports of acute laryngeal dystonia due to metoclopramide. Differential diagnosis includes other extrapyramidal side-effects and allergic reactions. Treatment consists of the administration of anticholinergic agents.