Neuroleptic-induced Laryngeal Dystonia

Although neuroleptics, prescribed for psychiatric conditions, are by far the commonest drugs known to produce acute dystonia, other drugs such as prochlorperazine, metoclopramide, tetrabenazine etc., prescribed for non-psychiatric conditions, are also known to produce this side effect the common factor is the ability of the drug to produce a central inhibition of dopaminergic neurotransmission. Less commonly, other drugs such as L-dopa, diphenylhydantoin, certain antihistaminics, certain antimalarials etc. are also known to produce acute dystonia (Rupniak et al 1986).