Tardive dystonia improved with discontinuation of trazodone in an elderly schizophrenia patient: a case report

• Main Authors: Yoshinori Kadota, Hikaru Hori, Michiko Takayama, Chikako Okabe, Naotoshi Ohara
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2020-04-01
• Series: Annals of General Psychiatry
• Subjects: Trazodone; Tardive dystonia; Schizophrenia; Delirium; Insomnia
• Online Access: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12991-020-00273-8

Abstract Background Tardive dystonia associated with antidepressant use is rare and often under-recognized. We had an experience with trazodone, which is used for delirium and insomnia prescribed in general hospital, inducing tardive dystonia. Case presentation A 61-year-old Japanese woman had been treated for schizophrenia. She was moved to general hospital because of consciousness disturbance. She was prescribed trazodone (25 mg/day) for delirium and insomnia. After she was discharged, she returned to the psychiatric hospital with tardive dystonia. Her dystonia symptoms improved with 3 days of discontinuing trazodone. Conclusion In the present case, long-term use of trazodone induced tardive dystonia. Discontinuing trazodone rapidly improved tardive dystonia.