Korean J Psychopharmacol.  2012 Jul;23(3):122-125.

A Case of Amisulpride Induced Tardive Blepharospasm in Schizophrenia

• Park WR
• Kong SW
• Yu JC
• Lee CH
• Choi KS

Abstract

Tardive blepharospam is characterized by repetitive, forceful, and sustained involuntary contractions of the orbicularis oculi. We report here one case of neuroleptic-induced tardive blepharospasm that developed during high-dose amisulpride treatment and was treated with clozapine. The patient was a 29-year-old man with a 6-year history of schizophrenia. After 33 months of amisulpride treatment (1200 mg/day), involuntary eye-blinking had developed. Following exclusion of all other possible etiopathological causes of the blepharospasm, we decided to switch the drug treatment from amisulpride to clozapine. On the fourteenth day of clozapine (250 mg/day) treatment, we observed significant improvements in eye-blinking and psychotic symptoms. Four months later, the eye-blinking had remitted completely. We suggest that amisulpride may cause blepharospasm and lead to an impaired ability to perform daily activities. Therefore, we recommend that clinicians regularly monitor involuntary movements in patients receiving antipsychotic treatment, especially when high doses of amisulpride are involved.

Keyword

Tardive blepharospasm; Amisulpride; Schizophrenia

MeSH Terms

Adult
Blepharospasm
Clozapine
Contracts
Dyskinesias
Humans
Organothiophosphorus Compounds
Schizophrenia
Sulpiride
Clozapine
Organothiophosphorus Compounds
Sulpiride