Olanzapine as a possible replacement choice for paliperidone-induced Pisa syndrome: a case report

Australas Psychiatry. 2016 Dec;24(6):545-547. doi: 10.1177/1039856216665285. Epub 2016 Sep 2.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this paper is to present a case of paliperidone-induced Pisa syndrome and provide treatment experience.

Method: The case report is combined with a review of the literature.

Results: A 37-year-old man had been diagnosed with paranoid-type schizophrenia for about 10 years. He received three-month treatment of paliperidone extended release (ER) at 6 mg per day, but showed a progressively Pisa-like physical position. We initially added an anticholinergic drug, but saw no improvement. The paliperidone ER was replaced by olanzapine at 10 mg per day, and the Pisa-like symptom improved after 1 month of the drug replacement.

Conclusions: We propose olanzapine as a possible replacement choice for patients with paliperidone-related Pisa syndrome.

Keywords: Pisa syndrome; dopaminergic–cholinergic imbalance; olanzapine; paliperidone.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antipsychotic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Benzodiazepines / administration & dosage*
  • Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / etiology
  • Dystonia / chemically induced
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Olanzapine
  • Paliperidone Palmitate / adverse effects*
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Schizophrenia, Paranoid / drug therapy*
  • Syndrome

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Olanzapine
  • Paliperidone Palmitate