title: Postural myoclonus induced by phenytoin.
abstract: Involuntary movements are an infrequent complication of treatment with phenytoin and include tremor, asterixis, myoclonus, parkinsonism, and dyskinesias. The mechanism by which phenytoin exerts its actions is unclear. Phenytoin has been observed to exert variable effects on dopamine metabolites and also may induce changes in serotonergic activity. In this report, we discuss the available experimental evidence concerning the possible mechanisms of involuntary movements induced by phenytoin. We describe a case of postural myoclonus during treatment with phenytoin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neurology, General Hospital of Segovia, Spain.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Duarte
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Sempere
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Cabezas
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marcos
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Clavería
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009207:Myoclonus / Q000139:chemically induced*; D010672:Phenytoin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011187:Posture; D012640:Seizures / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D010672:Phenytoin