Question

Fifteen minutes after administration of intramuscular haloperidol, a 21-year-old woman who is in the hospital has torticollis. she has a 1 month history of psychotic disorder and was admitted to the hospital 4 hours ago because of the acute onset of new delusions and agitated behavior. she appears frightened.

Answer 1

Haloperidol is an antipsychotic drug (or neuroleptic drug) used to treat all kink of psychosis, like this young woman in the reported case.

Extrapyramidal symptoms may occur during treatment, specifically in the first weeks (eg, tremor, stiffness, hypersalivation, bradykinesia, akathisia, acute dystonia).Acute dystonia may also occur during the first few days of treatment with Haloperidol, it may include torticollis, facial grimace, trismus, lingual protrusion, and abnormal eye movements, including the oculogyric crisis... 

The risk of occurrence of these reactions is greater in male and younger patients. In case of acute dystonia, it may be necessary to stop taking the drug.