Catatonia Associated with Initiating Paliperidone Treatment

We present a case of catatonia, which occurred shortly after starting a new antipsychotic,paliperidone, an active metabolite of risperidone. Catatonia may be caused by a variety of conditions,including metabolic, neurologic, psychiatric and toxic processes. Interestingly, risperidone, whichhas been thought to cause several cases of catatonia, has also been recommended as a potentialtreatment. We discuss potential mechanisms for causes of drug-induced catatonia as well as potentialtreatment options. [West J Emerg Med. 2010; 11(2):186-188.]