A person with medication induced dystonia.
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 NAME | TRADE NAME | CLASSIFICATION |
|---|---|---|
| alprazolam | Xanax | Antianxiety agent |
| amitriptyline | Elavil, Endep | antidepressant |
| amoxapine | Asendin | antidepressant |
| benzquinamide | Emete-Con | anti-nausea/vomiting agent |
| bupropion | Wellbutrin | antidepressant |
| buspirone | Buspar | antianxiety |
| carbamazepine | Tegretol | anticonvulsant |
| chlorprothizene | Taractan | neuroleptic |
| chlorpromazine | Thorazine | neuroleptic |
| clomipramine | Anafranil | antidepressant |
| clozapine | Clozaril | neuroleptic |
| desipramine | Norpramin | antidepressant |
| diphenhydramine | Benadryl | antihistamine (Increases the effect of other pain medications) |
| doxepin | Adapin, Sinequan | antidepressant |
| droperido | Innovar | antianxiety; anesthetic adjunct |
| fluoxetine | Prozac | antidepressant |
| fluphenazine | Prolixin | neuroleptic |
| haloperidol | Haldol | neuroleptic |
| imipramine | Tofranil | antidepressant |
| levodopa | Larodopa, Sinemet | antiparkinson agent |
| lithium | Eskalith, Lithobid | antimanic agent |
| loxapine | Loxitane | neuroleptic |
| mesoridazine | Serentil | neuroleptic |
| metoclopramide | Reglan | gastrointestinal motility stimulant; anti-nausea/vomiting agent |
| midazolam | Versed | induction anesthetic agent |
| molindone | Moban | neuroleptic |
| nortripyline | Aventyl, Pamelor | antidepressant |
| perhenazine | Trilafon | neuroleptic |
| phenytoin | Dilantin | anticonvulsant |
| pimozide | Orap | neuroleptic |
| prochlorperazine | Compazine | anti-nausea/vomiting agent |
| promazine | Sparine | neuroleptic |
| promethazine | Phenergan | antihistamine |
| protriptyline | Vivactil | antidepressant |
| thiethylperazine | Torecan | anti-nausea/vomiting agent |
| thiothixene | Navane | neuroleptic |
| trifluoperazine | Stelazine | neuroleptic |
| triflupromazine | Vesprin | neuroleptic |
| thioridazine | Mellaril | neuroleptic |
| trazadone | Desyrel | antidepressant |
| trifluoperazine | Stelazine | neuroleptic |
| trimipramine | Surmontil | antidepressant |
| verapamil | Calan, Isoptin | antianginal, 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!
I have been diagnosed with Cervial and Laryengeal dystonia and Blepharspam. I get 400 cc’s of Botox every 12 weeks and take Baclofen and Tizanidine for the spasms. Nothing really seems to help. The botox only lasts 6 weeks and the meds help just a little. The doctors only want to talk botox and meds. Is there anything else out there that helps? Thanks.
I developed Dystonia and Dyskenisia after a doctor gave me an add on medication to treat my major depression. For 6 years I had over 40 medications from 14 doctors to treat me. The medications only made things worse. The doctors had no idea how to treat the Dyskenisia and treated me with disrespect, were insulting and humiliating. I was always referred to the psych department for treatment by the neurologists. I’m recently dealing with being called a fraud, that I could harm children, elderly and other vulnerable members of society because it is assumed that I took an anti-psychotic and are bi-polar. I have been banned from volunteering at assisted living, working with elderly, that I could harm my mother with Alzheimers. I’m 59 years old, a former professional woman and developed TD in 2002. My depression is so severe and any medication only brings on severe facial spasms. Recently I took Celexa and had to stop. I hope to find a new doctor who knows and understands.
I have Spasmodic Torticollis. This past week I was told I have a cancerous lesion that is not life threatening but, it does need to be removed. I need to know what to tell the surgeon which anesthetics that I cannot take. I know the twilight drug Versed is a “no no” and that Lidocaine/Xylocaine causes tremors.Does anyone else know how I might find out about this category of medicines in relation to Dystonia?
Both Paxil and Celexa have caused Cervical Dystonia in me. You may want to add these to the list.
Hi All,
After reading your miseries, I feel a little ashamed to be posting my small problems regarding dystonias, but am afflicted with spasmodic dysphonia and essential tremor of the head/neck. I take a low dose Clonazepam daily which helps with the ET, but does nothing for my voice. Does anyone know of a drug on the market which helps relieve the vocal shakiness/hoarseness of the voice?
Thanks in advance, and I wish each of you the best.
Toni
I suffer from Generalized Dystonia, and my symptoms are lack of skill, cramps, pain, tremors and so on since I was 11, three decades ago.
Just two years ago I developed a website to help positively to other people like me and the caregivers (it includes free physiotherapy advice) which has helped many people the same way they’ve helped me.
http://webs.ono.com/distoweb
and its message may help you.
Hope it does. Sharing and understanding are our best tools…
Fernando-Spain
thanks for providing us with such detailed information about the meds. I am a migraine patient and I have to take pain killers frequently but now I am feeling that it has weaken me and my nervous system is getting more and more weak day by day…
Can you suggest me something about how to deal with it???
I hope this gets to you in time to help. My symptoms have mostly resolved due to Artane and Sinemet. I was very desperate and sick. My dystonia caused my head to constantly be pulling back, contorted my spine and basically affected all my muscles including my facial muscles.
Make sure you are not on any psychotropic medications as that can be a cause.
I feel your pain. You need a really good doctor as well as a thorough work-up including genetic testing and a test for Wilsons disease. I was in and out of the hospital 5 times and still was not better until I got in with a good neurologist. I saw the Chief of Neurology at Wake Forest Medical Center, Dr. Alison Brashier. She was great. I hear that Mayo clinic is good as well.
Dear Gene,
I have suffered greatly from dystonia. I was in 5 hospitals and was medicated with Clonazepam and Baclofen without results.
I hope this gets to you in time to help. My symptoms have mostly resolved due to Artane and Sinemet. I was very desperate and sick. My dystonia caused my head to constantly be pulling back, contorted my spine and basically affected all my muscles including my facial muscles.
Make sure you are not on any psychotropic medications as that can be a cause.
I feel your pain. You need a really good doctor as well as a thorough work-up including genetic testing and a test for Wilsons disease. I was in and out of the hospital 5 times and still was not better until I got in with a good neurologist. I saw the Chief of Neurology at Wake Forest Medical Center, Dr. Alison Brashier. She was great. I hear that Mayo clinic is good as well.
Best wishes. I hope this helps.
-Diane
-Diane
http://www.neurology.org/cgi/content/abstract/38/3/391
My understanding is that Tetrabenazine (AKA Xenazone, Nitoman) is can actually be helpful to Dystonias- more than many other meds.
I have Generalized Dystonia plus a failed neck surgery (total of 3, first two involved screw breakage), a permanently dislocated jaw, chronic tendonitis/rotator cuff issues in both shoulders, two herniated discs in low back, and bursitis in left hip. All the damage is from head trauma induced Dystonia.
I have spent most of the winter months in bed, I am in terrible pain cause by severe muscle spasms. Botox does not work, it just made the situation worst! Clonozapam and Baclofen stopped working, I don’t know what to do.
Any suggestions.
Gene