Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-jr42d Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-16T16:21:44.295Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Phenothiazine Toxicity, Extrapyramidal Seizures, and Oculogyric Crises

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 February 2018

George Paulson*
Affiliation:
Clinical Neuropharmacology Research Center, National Institute of Mental Health, Washington, D.C.

Extract

Prochlorperazine (Compazine, Stemetil) and chlorpromazine (Thorazine, Largactil) frequently produce tremor and rigidity. Less well known are the severe tonic spasms of the muscles of the head and neck which can result from these phenothiazine derivatives. This paper directs attention to these spasms and their similarity with “extrapyramidal seizures” and oculogyric crises.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1959 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Berry, R. V., Kamin, S. H., and Kline, A., “An unusual complication following the use of trilafon in children”, U.S. Armed Forces M.J., 1958, 9, 745.Google Scholar
2. Christian, C. D., and Paulson, G., “Severe motility disturbance after small doses of prochlorperazine”, N. England J.M., 1958, 259, 828.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
3. Delay, J., Deniker, P., and Thuillier, J., “Similitude des accidents nerveux de la prochlorpérazine avec certains troubles post-encéphalitiques”, Ann. Méd. Psychol. Par., 1957, 115, 506.Google Scholar
4. Duke-Elder, W. S., Textbook of Ophthalmology, 1949, 4. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby Co.Google Scholar
5. Durn, M. A., Smith Kline & French Co., personal communication.Google Scholar
6. Essig, C. F., and Carter, W. W., “Convulsions and bizarre behaviour in monkeys receiving chlorpromazine”, Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol., N.Y., 1957, 95, 726.Google Scholar
7. Fallik, A., and Treves, J., “Unusual neurological complications due to Largactil”, Confinia neur., Basel, 1956, 16, 81.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
8. Freyhan, F. A., “Psychomotilität, extrapyramidale Syndrome und Wirkungsweisen neuroleptischer therapien (Chlorpromazine, Reserpine, Prochlorperazine)”, Nervenarzt, 1957, 28, 504.Google Scholar
9. Idem , “Observations on the clinical use of tranquilizing agents”, Delaware M.J., 1957, 29, 191.Google Scholar
10. Goldman, D., “Effect of prochlorperazine (Compazine) on psychotic states”, Psychiat. Res. Rep., March 1958, 9, 23.Google Scholar
11. Hoffman, W. W., “Cerebellar lesions after parenteral dilantin administration”, Neurology, 1958, 8, 210.Google Scholar
12. Holman, W. T., “High dosage compazine in chronic schizophrenia”, Dis. Nerv. Sys., 1958, 19, 309.Google Scholar
13. Jelliffe, S. E., “Oculogyric crises as compulsive phenomena in postencephalitis. Their occurrence, phenomenology and meaning”, J. Nerv. Ment. Dis., 1929, 69, 59.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
14. Klemme, R. M., “Oculogyric crises, a therapeutic approach”, Am. J. Ophth, 1941, 24, 1000.Google Scholar
15. Kulenkrampff, C., and Tarnow, G., “Ein eigentümliches Syndrom im oralen Bereich beim Megaphen applikation”, Nervenarzt, 1956, 27, 178.Google Scholar
16. Lemos, M., “Claudication intermittente, crampe des écrivains, déviation conjuguée de la tête et des yeux, spasme des muscles masticateurs glosso- palato-laryngés et des membres superieurs, apparus au cours du syndrome Parkinsonien encéphalite prolongée—localization striée probable”, Rev. neur., Par., 1924, 2, 425.Google Scholar
17. MacLean, P. O., “Contrasting functions of limbic and neocortical systems of the brain and their relevance to psychophysiological aspects of medicine”, Am. J. Med., 1958, 25, 611.Google Scholar
18. Matthews, W. B., “Tonic seizures in disseminated sclerosis”, Brain, 1958, 81, 193.Google Scholar
19. McCowan, P. K. and Cook, L. C., “Oculogyric crises in chronic epidemic encephalitis”, Brain, 1928, 51, 285.Google Scholar
20. Ostow, M., “Recurrent autonomic phenomena associated with exacerbations of Parkinsonism, report of a case”, A.M.A. Arch. Neurol. & Psych., 1943, 50, 342.Google Scholar
21. Spiller, W. G., “Subcortical epilepsy”, Brain, 1927, 50, 171.Google Scholar
22. Sterling, W., “Le type spasmodique tétanoide et tétaniforme de l'encéphalite épidémique: remarques sur l'épilepsie ‘extrapyramidale’ ”, Rev. neur., Par., 1924, 2, 484.Google Scholar
23. Vogt, M., “Pharmacology of tranquillizing drugs”, Brit. Med. J., 1958, ii, 965.Google Scholar
24. Walsh, F. B., Clinical Neuro-ophthalmology, 1957, Second ed. Baltimore, Md.: Williams & Wilkins Co.Google Scholar
25. Wilson, W. P. and Glotfelty, J. S., “Effect of intravenous promazine on arousal responses in man”, Dis. Nerv. Sys., 1958, 19, 307.Google Scholar
26. Wimmer, A., “Tonic eye fits in chronic epidemic encephalitis”, Acta psych. et neurol., 1926, 1, 173.Google Scholar
Submit a response

eLetters

No eLetters have been published for this article.