When Antidepressants Mimic Antipsychotics, Fluoxetine induced Extrapyramidal Syndrome: A Case Series

Serotonin-specific reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are widely used for a variety of clinical conditions due to their relatively safe side-effect profile. Among the various classes of antidepressants, SSRIs are the common offenders producing extrapyramidal symptoms (EPSs). The SSRIs produces reversible or irreversible motor disturbances through pathophysiological changes in basal ganglion motor system by altering the dopamine receptors post synaptically. Among the SSRIs, Fluoxetine has been associated with most case reports of EPS, though other SSRI, particularly, Paroxetine and Sertraline has also been reported in certain cases. Most of these reports are from other countries, and relevant searches have not found any case report from India. Here we are presenting three cases of Fluoxetine-induced EPS.