Published online by Cambridge University Press: 29 January 2018
Acute dystonic reactions, including oculogyric crises, were once thought to be pathognomonic of encephalitis lethargica, but the clinical use of the phenothiazines has led to the recognition that similar symptoms can be produced by these drugs. Some phenothiazines, such as trifluoperazine, fluphenazine, prochlorperazine and perphenazine (Ayd, 1960; Christian and Paulson, 1958; Hollister, 1957; Waugh and Metts, 1960), are thought to cause these effects more frequently, especially when given parenterally. Other non-phenothiazine tranquillizers, for example haloperidol, also produce these reactions. not un-commonly. Certain patients, particularly the young and perhaps the genetically predisposed, are more likely to be affected.
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