Catatonia associated with phenylpropanolamine overdose and fluphenazine treatment: case report

A case is reported in which catatonia and autonomic abnormalities occurred in a patient on long-term fluphenazine decanoate following overdose with an oral anorectic agent containing phenylpropanolamine and caffeine. The catatonic symptoms showed a rapid and complete resolution following intramuscular benztropine. A possible mechanism to explain the catatonic symptoms is discussed.