Trazodone-related oromandibular dyskinesia

This is a report of a series of three cases of trazodone-induced oral lingual dyskinesias. Each case demonstrated a distinct pattern of the development of this dyskinesia after trazodone exposure for several months. All cases showed abrupt cessation of the movement disorder when the drug was discontinued. Two of the three cases had no prior exposure to any dopamine-blocking agents. One of the three had a distant exposure to a dopamine antagonist. Trazodone has a mechanism of action that can account for both the development and treatment of dyskinetic movements. This article will discuss proposed mechanisms for trazodone's action with an emphasis on case reports of dystonic movements being more prevalent in the elderly.