Acute generalized myoclonus following buspirone administration.
The authors present a case of a 62-year-old woman who was hospitalized with severe medical problems that included congestive heart failure secondary to mitral stenosis and atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, chronic renal failure, and a recent history of a right cerebral lacunar infarction. She also had a 2-year history of anxiety and depression, manifested in the hospital by frequent crying spells, sleeplessness, and ruminating about her illnesses. The patient received buspirone 5 mg three times a day for her anxiety and depression. Approximately 12 hours after her first dose, she developed dramatic myoclonus, dystonias, and akathisia. She was given 25 mg of intramuscular diphenhydramine and 1 mg of intramuscular benztropine mesylate, which resulted in little relief; however, 1 mg clonazepam caused both the myoclonic jerks and dystonias to resolve completely.
Ritchie
E C
EC
Department of Psychiatry, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20307-5001.
Bridenbaugh
R H
RH
Jabbari
B
B
D000208:Acute Disease; D017109:Akathisia, Drug-Induced; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D002065:Buspirone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002998:Clonazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy; D004421:Dystonia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009207:Myoclonus / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy
D002998:Clonazepam; D002065:Buspirone