Oculogyric crisis with atypical antipsychotics: A case series

Indian J Psychiatry. 2017 Oct-Dec;59(4):499-501. doi: 10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_211_17.

Abstract

Oculogyric crisis (OGC) is an acute dystonic reaction, commonly seen with the administration of typical antipsychotics, and rarely reported with atypical antipsychotics. Here, we report five cases of oculogyric crisis, developed after administration of atypical antipsychotics. The first case developed OGC on quetiapine 800 mg/day and the second case on olanzapine 20 mg/day. Both the patients did not improve on adding anticholinergic agents and finally stabilized by switching to clozapine. The third case developed OGC on amisulpride 400 mg and lurasidone 40 mg/day and improved by reducing amisulpride dose to 200 mg and stopping lurasidone. The fourth case developed OGC on aripiprazole 30 mg/day and improved by dose reduction. The fifth case developed OGC on amisulpride 400 mg/day and improved by switching to risperidone and anticholinergic combination. Oculogyric crisis is a potential side effect of antipsychotic medications (mostly with typical and rarely with atypical) and generally respond to oral anticholinergics, but in some cases, dose reduction or discontinuation of antipsychotic agent and switching to safer alternatives or clozapine is required.

Keywords: Anticholinergics; atypical antipsychotics; oculogyric crisis.