Extrapyramidal side effects and suicidal ideation under fluoxetine treatment: a case report

Ann Gen Psychiatry. 2010 Jan 18:9:5. doi: 10.1186/1744-859X-9-5.

Abstract

Background: We present the case of a 52-year-old woman with depression who developed extrapyramidal symptoms (mainly parkinsonism) and suicidal ideation while on fluoxetine.

Methods: The patient underwent neurological and neuroimaging examination.

Results: The patient's neurological and neuroimaging examinations were normal and there was no other cause of extrapyramidal symptoms. The patient showed remission of the aforementioned symptomatology when fluoxetine was discontinued.

Conclusions: This case shows that fluoxetine can be associated with extrapyramidal symptoms, and this may have an aggravating affect on clinical depression progress and the emergence of suicidal ideation.