Complex movement disorders induced by fluoxetine

Abstract

We report two cases of complex movement disorders induced by fluoxetine. A 72-year-old woman developed rhythmic palatal movements, myoclonus, chorea, and possibly dystonia after 2 years of therapy with fluoxetine. On withdrawal of fluoxetine, the movements abated after 5 days and did not recur. The second patient, a 58-year-old man, developed myoclonic jerking and rapid, stereotypic movements of his toes after a year of fluoxetine therapy. These complex movements have not been reported previously as an adverse effect of fluoxetine.