Oral Medications

Oral medications do not alleviate symptoms of Spasmodic Torticollis to a significant degree.  However, they have been used and can prove to be useful in addition to other treatments such as botulinum toxin injections.  The starting dose of any medication will usually be low.  This way any side effects that develop in response to the medication will be less severe.  Your doctor can then adjust the dosage of the medication accordingly.  The goal is to slowly increase the dose until your symptoms are controlled.  Some medications may take weeks or months to achieve the level of maximum benefit.  It is necessary for you to maintain contact with your doctor during this time period.  Once medication treatment has been initiated, it is usually continued indefinitely.

Medications to Avoid 

Medications that block dopamine tend to cause torticollis and can make the condition worse.  These are usually in the neuroleptic class of medications used to treat psychosis.  They can be used to treat nausea as well and Reglan (Metoclopramide) is a common offender.  Other medications to avoid include: Tindal (Acetohenazine), Asendi (Amoxapine), Thorazine (Chlorpromazine), Haldol (Haloperidol), Loxitane, Daxolin (Loxapine), Serentil (Mesoridazine), Moban (Milondone), Trilafrom or Triavil (Erphanzine), Quide (Piperacetazine), Sparine (Promazine), Phenergan (Promethazine), Torecan (Thiethylperazine), Mellaril (Thioridazine), Navane (Thiothixene), Stelazine (Trifluoperazine), Vesprini (Trifluprozazine) and Temaril (Trimeprazine).  If you require one of these medications, Clozaril (Clozapine), Zyprexa (Olanzapine) or Seroquel (Quetiapine) are better choices.  They are less likely to cause dystonia and may even be useful in the treatment of dystonia.

If you are interested in learning more about medications used for ST, contact the NSTA at 1-800-HURTFUL.