Abdominal pain with rigidity secondary to the anti-emetic drug metoclopramide.
We report a case of abdominal pain with rigidity, mimicking an acute abdomen, caused by metoclopramide, a common anti-emetic drug. Extrapyramidal symptoms are commonly reported side-effects of this medication. They generally include involuntary movements of limbs, torticollis, oculogyric crisis, rhythmic protrusion of tongue, trismus, or dystonic reactions resembling tetanus, etc. Abdominal rigidity due to this medication, resembling an acute abdomen, has not been reported previously. This case report illustrates the importance of considering medication side-effects when evaluating a patient with abdominal pain and rigidity.
Khan
Nadeem U
NU
Section of Emergency Medicine, Department of Medicine, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
Razzak
Junaid A
JA
D000006:Abdomen, Acute / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000009:Abdominal Muscles; D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000328:Adult; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002738:Chloroquine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D016780:Malaria, Vivax / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008787:Metoclopramide / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009127:Muscle Rigidity / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D011352:Procyclidine / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000932:Antiemetics; D000962:Antimalarials; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists; D002738:Chloroquine; D011352:Procyclidine; D008787:Metoclopramide