Dystonic Reaction

Full Definition

A dystonic reaction is a sudden onset of involuntary muscle spasms, typically affecting the face, neck, tongue, or back muscles, occurring as an adverse effect of antipsychotic medications. These reactions usually develop within hours to days of starting treatment or increasing dosage. Common manifestations include oculogyric crisis (upward eye deviation), torticollis (neck twisting), and trismus (jaw muscle spasm). Treatment involves immediate administration of anticholinergic medications like benztropine. Editors should note this differs from tardive dyskinesia, which develops after prolonged medication exposure.

In Context

• "The patient developed a dystonic reaction within six hours of receiving haloperidol." — emergency department note
• "Benztropine was administered to reverse the dystonic reaction affecting her neck muscles." — medication administration record