Rabbit syndrome

Rabbit syndrome is a rare form of extrapyramidal side effect of antipsychotic drugs in which perioral tremors occur at a rate of approximately 5 Hz. Rabbit syndrome is characterized by involuntary, fine, rhythmic motions of the mouth along a vertical plane, without involvement of the tongue, and resembling the chewing movements of a rabbit. It is usually seen after years of pharmacotherapy, and is more prominent with high potency drugs like haloperidol, fluphenazine, and pimozide. There is also a low incidence with thioridazine, clozapine, olanzapine, aripiprazole, and low doses of risperidone.

Rabbit syndrome can be treated with anticholinergic drugs. It generally disappears within a few days of treatment but may re-emerge after anticholinergic treatment is stopped. Another treatment strategy is to switch the patient to an atypical antipsychotic with high anti-cholinergic properties.

References

1. Glossary of psychiatry
2. List of syndromes
3. Dyskinesia
4. Extrapyramidal symptoms
5. Extrapyramidal system
6. Typical antipsychotic
7. FripSide
8. Long QT syndrome
9. Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome
10. Holly Madison
11. Ovotesticular syndrome
12. Don Watson
13. White Rabbit
14. Rabbit hemorrhagic disease
15. Quarterly Essay
16. Rabbitpox
17. Finder (manga)
18. White Rabbit (song)
19. Dual consciousness
20. Alpha-gal syndrome