Urinary retention--an unusual dystonic reaction to continuous metoclopramide infusion.

Author(s): Kohli-Kumar M, Pearson AD, Sharkey I, Craft AW

Affiliation(s): Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH.

Publication date & source: 1991-05, DICP., 25(5):469-70.

Publication type: Case Reports; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Vomiting is one of the most distressing adverse effects of cancer chemotherapy. Metoclopramide by continuous infusion (400 micrograms/kg/h after a loading dose of 2.5 mg/kg) is a novel administration method for optimizing efficacy. A two-year-old boy developed urinary retention on three occasions, once accompanied by priapism and slurred speech, while receiving a continuous infusion. This was reversed by procyclidine, suggesting that it may have been a dystonic reaction.