Drug-induced movement disorders: emergencies and management

Movement disorders uncommonly require emergent intervention; however, there are acute/subacute clinical settings in which the neurologist is consulted for recommendations about the diagnosis and management of a movement disorder. In these circumstances the neurologist must be comfortable with the diagnostic evaluation and be prepared to properly manage the patient. This article focuses on diagnosis and management of acute-onset movement disorders occurring secondary to prescription drug use, illicit drug abuse, and drug withdrawal syndromes. In addition, drug-induced emergencies occurring in patients with movement disorders are reviewed.