Morphine in tardive and idiopathic dystonia (short communication)

Opioids have been shown to improve L-Dopa induced dyskinesias in patients with Parkinson's disease. In this pilot trial of five patients with tardive and four patients with idiopathic dystonia we tested the effect of morphinsulfate in a retarded form with a dosage of 20-60 mg per day. A substantial improvement of dystonic movements could be observed in four patients with tardive and one patient with idiopathic dystonia. The effect was only transient in tardive dystonia while pain relief mediated by morphine overlasted the effect on involuntary movements.