Risperidone-Induced Acute Laryngeal Dystonia: A Case Report.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Pharmacology
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Antipsychotic medications are linked to adverse effects like metabolic syndrome, QT prolongation, and extrapyramidal symptoms.
• Acute laryngeal dystonia (ALD) is a rare, severe extrapyramidal reaction.
• Identifying antipsychotic-induced adverse events is crucial for patient safety.

Observation:

• A 27-year-old woman with schizophrenia on risperidone presented with choking and respiratory distress.
• She experienced a generalized dystonic reaction in the hospital.
• Initial symptoms mimicked a panic attack, delaying diagnosis.

Findings:

• The patient was diagnosed with risperidone-associated acute laryngeal dystonia.
• ALD was identified as the cause of her respiratory distress.
• Anticholinergic medication adherence did not fully resolve symptoms.

Implications:

• Acute laryngeal dystonia should be a differential diagnosis for antipsychotic users with respiratory distress.
• This case underscores the association between atypical antipsychotics (risperidone) and ALD.
• Early recognition and management of ALD are vital to prevent severe complications.