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Acute dystonic reaction associated with foscarnet administration
Jordan S Dubow1, Stephanie R Panush, Michael Rezak
1Movement Disorders Center, Evanston Northwestern Healthcare and Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA. jdubow003@md.northwestern.edu
Drug-induced movement disorders, like dystonia, can occur with various medications. A patient experienced acute dystonia after foscarnet, an antiviral, which resolved with anticholinergic treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Drug-induced movement disorders (DIMDs) are frequent in clinical practice.
- Commonly associated with antipsychotics, but other drug classes can also cause extrapyramidal symptoms.
Observation:
- A case of acute dystonic reaction is presented.
- The reaction occurred shortly after intravenous foscarnet administration.
Findings:
- Foscarnet, an antiviral agent, can induce acute dystonic reactions.
- The patient's work-up for other causes of dystonia was negative.
- Symptoms resolved with intravenous anticholinergic therapy.
Implications:
- Highlights foscarnet as a potential cause of drug-induced dystonia.
- Suggests anticholinergic treatment for foscarnet-induced dystonia.
- Emphasizes the need for vigilance regarding drug-induced movement disorders beyond typical causative agents.
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