Reversible craniocervical dystonia associated with levofloxacin

BACKGROUND: Dystonia is a hyperkinetic movement disorder related to dysfunction of inhibitory basal ganglia and cortical circuits. GABA is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. Quinolones can rarely produce serious neurologic effects, which have been attributed to impaired inhibition through GABA antagonism. We report a case of reversible craniocervical dystonia associated with oral levofloxacin. CASE PRESENTATION: A 62-year-old man on hemodialysis presented with craniocervical dystonia 3 days after initiation of levofloxacin 500 mg. twice daily. Levofloxacin was discontinued. Seven days later the abnormal movements completely disappeared and did not recur in the following 3 months. CONCLUSION: Levofloxacin should be considered as a rare but potentially reversible trigger of craniocervical dystonia. Older age, renal impairment and high doses of the drug might be risk factors. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40734-015-0021-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.