Escitalopram-induced extrapyramidal symptoms

Abstract

Serotonin specific reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) are widely used antidepressants for a variety of clinical conditions because of their relatively safe side-effect profile. However, a recent review of all Food and Drug Administration adverse events indicates that SSRIs are common offenders among the various classes of antidepressants, producing extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS). The incidence of EPS is high with escitalopram (12%) followed by sertaline (11%), paroxetine (10%) and fluoxeine (8%).1 The SSRIs produces reversible or irreversible motor disturbances through pathophysiological changes in basal ganglion motor system by altering the dopamine receptors postsynaptically.2 Here we report a case of escitalopram-induced EPS to increase clinical awareness about this rare presentation.