Antipsychotic-induced life-threatening 'esophageal dyskinesia'

We report two patients with lingual dyskinesia and complaints of food regur gitation following long-term antipsychotic therapy. Esophageal contrast rad iography revealed dyskinetic movements extending from the pharynx to the up per portion of the esophagus. The elevation of intraesophageal pressure was confirmed by esophageal manometry. The dyskinetic movements almost disappe ared along with improvement of lingual dyskinesia following the administrat ion of sulpiride in one patient. Another patient suddenly died due to asphy xiation of foods before the beginning of treatment. We termed this life-thr eatening movement, 'esophageal dyskinesia'. It should be emphasized that 'e sophageal dyskinesia' associated with lingual dyskinesia is a potentially f atal adverse reaction to antipsychotic therapy. Int Clin Psychopharmacol 14 :123-127 (C) 1999 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.