A Case Report of Recurrent Acute Laryngeal Dystonia With Different Novel Antipsychotics: Aripiprazole and Olanzapine

Abstract

Acute laryngeal dystonia (ALD) is a rare side effect of antipsychotic medications, but it is a life-threatening condition. We are introducing the case of a 49-year-old Saudi single male, who has been known to have schizophrenia for the last 20 years. He developed three attacks of acute laryngeal dystonia owing to different antipsychotic medications. The first was because of haloperidol on a dose of 20 mg a day. After being treated for dystonia and stabilized physically, the patient received oral aripiprazole at a dose of 10 mg a day. Unfortunately, he developed acute laryngeal dystonia, and treatment had to be discontinued. The third attack of dystonia was two months later because of the use of olanzapine in a dose of only 5 mg/day. The patient was finally stabilized on quetiapine with no more side effects. This case highlights the importance of careful monitoring of patients who are receiving antipsychotic medications, even newer ones, to avoid, or treat, such a rare but serious side effect early.

Keywords: antipsychotic; aripiprazole; laryngeal dystonia; mental health; olanzapine; side effects; stridor.