Treatment with diazepam of children with drug-induced extrapyramidal symptoms

Thirteen patients with acute dystonia and extrapyramidal symptoms as a result of drug intoxication are reported. In a number of instances, the symptoms were due to more than one drug being given to the patient, among which were phenothiazine derivatives, non-phenothiazine tranquilizers and metoclopramide. Diazepam (Valium) given intravenously caused the patients to fall asleep immediately and to wake within an hour, free from all symptoms. It is felt that in patients with drug-induced extrapyramidal symptoms, diazepam should be considered as the possible drug of choice.