title: Risperidone and lorazepam concomitant use in clonazepam refractory catatonia: a case report.
abstract: The DSM-IV recognizes catatonia as a subtype of schizophrenia characterized by at least two of the following: motor immobility, excessive motor activity not influenced by external stimuli, and peculiarities of voluntary movement. Catatonia may also occur secondary to mania, depression, or a general medical condition including encephalitis, focal neurological lesions, metabolic disturbances, and drug intoxications and withdrawals. Benzodiazepines remain the first line of treatment; up to 80% of patients respond promptly to Lorazepam challenge; failure to respond to lorazepam may be followed by electroconvulsive therapy. Atypical antipsychotics may be a new alternative in the treatment of catatonia. Successful reduction of the catatonic symptoms has been demonstrated with atypical antipsychotics. A possible mechanism of action for the efficacy of this class of drugs involves the antagonism of the 5-HT2A receptor. We are now reporting a case of treatment response to risperidone in a patient with chronic catatonia resistant to benzodiazepines.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of Miami/Jackson Health System, Miami, FL 33136, USA. egrenier@med.miami.edu
authors: Ernesto
authors: E
authors: Grenier
authors: Molly
authors: M
authors: Ryan
authors: Elizabeth
authors: E
authors: Ko
authors: Karina
authors: K
authors: Fajardo
authors: Vineeth
authors: V
authors: John
mesh_terms: D002389:Catatonia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002998:Clonazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008140:Lorazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018967:Risperidone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002998:Clonazepam; D018967:Risperidone; D008140:Lorazepam