# Oculogyric Crisis During Chronic Aripiprazole Therapy: A Diagnostic Challenge in the Emergency Department

**Authors:** Kohei Tokioka, Tsuyoshi Nojima, Ippei Matsuo, Kohei Tsukahara, Atsunori Nakao

PMC · DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.72067 · 2026-02-16

## TL;DR

This paper discusses a rare case where a patient on long-term aripiprazole developed an oculogyric crisis, highlighting the importance of medication review in emergency settings.

## Contribution

The novelty lies in identifying oculogyric crisis as a potential side effect of stable aripiprazole therapy, not just dose escalation.

## Key findings

- Oculogyric crisis can occur during chronic aripiprazole use without recent dose changes.
- Medication review is crucial for diagnosing drug-induced dystonia and avoiding unnecessary neurological tests.

## Abstract

Oculogyric crisis can occur even during chronic, stable aripiprazole therapy without recent dose escalation. In patients with acute upward eye deviation and an otherwise normal neurologic examination, medication review is key to recognizing drug‐induced dystonia and avoiding unnecessary neurologic workup.

## Linked entities

- **Chemicals:** aripiprazole (PubChem CID 60795)
- **Diseases:** oculogyric crisis (MONDO:0000483)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** encephalitis (MESH:D004660), dystonic posturing (MESH:D054972), overdose (MESH:D062787), upward (OMIM:614262), depression (MESH:D003866), sustained upward ocular deviation (MESH:D010262), OGC (MESH:D001752), abnormal eye movements (MESH:D005124), dystonia (MESH:D004421), psychogenic disorder (MESH:D018781), acute dystonic reaction (MESH:D000208), Seizure (MESH:D012640), acute cerebrovascular disease (MESH:D020521)
- **Chemicals:** cocaine (MESH:D003042), agents (-), dopaminergic (MESH:D004298), Aripiprazole (MESH:D000068180), biperiden (MESH:D001712)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Figures

1 figure with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12909269/full.md

---
Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12909269