Tag: Drug induced dystonia

While uncommon, published case reports and literature reviews have confirmed that oxcarbazepine can cause movement disorders, including acute dystonia. This neurological side effect involves involuntary muscle contractions leading to twisting, repetitive movements, or abnormal postures.

While uncommon, abnormal involuntary movements like dystonia are a recognized potential side effect of carbamazepine [1.6.1]. Understanding this link is crucial, so the question remains: **can carbamazepine cause dystonia**, and what should patients know?

According to a study reported in *Clinical and Experimental Emergency Medicine*, gastrointestinal medications were the most common cause of drug-induced dystonia (DID) in children, accounting for 57% of cases. Drug-induced dystonia is a movement disorder caused by certain medications, characterized by involuntary and sustained muscle contractions that lead to twisting and repetitive movements or abnormal postures.

The prevalence of acute dystonic reactions (ADRs) can range from 3% to 10% for patients on certain medications, and may be as high as 51.2% with high-potency antipsychotics [1.4.6]. Understanding what drugs cause dystonic reactions is crucial for patient safety and awareness.