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Persistent movement disorders induced by buspirone
Author(s) -
Lewitt Peter A.,
Walters Arthur,
Hening Wayne,
McHale Denise
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
movement disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.352
H-Index - 198
eISSN - 1531-8257
pISSN - 0885-3185
DOI - 10.1002/mds.870080313
Subject(s) - buspirone , dyskinesia , tardive dyskinesia , spasmodic torticollis , movement disorders , dystonia , exacerbation , medicine , torticollis , anesthesia , anxiolytic , physical medicine and rehabilitation , pediatrics , psychology , psychiatry , surgery , anxiety , agonist , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , receptor , disease , parkinson's disease
Abstract Buspirone, an azospirone compound, is a nonsedative anxiolytic that has achieved wide usage since its introduction in 1987. Although relatively free of side‐effects, there have been several instances of dyskinesia and dystonia associated with the use of buspirone. We report two patients with persistent movement disorders that developed after prolonged treatment with the drug. One patient developed a lasting problem of cervical–cranial dystonia and tremors after treatment with buspirone at a dosage of 40 mg/day for several weeks. Another, receiving 30 mg/day for 6 weeks, experinced an exacerbation of preexisting spasmodic torticollis and tardive dyskinesia as well as the onset of involuntary phonations. As shown by these and other examples, buspirone poses the risk for inducing or exacerbating several types of movement disorders.