Oculogyric Crisis in the Setting of Low Dose Risperidone and Benztropine Mesylate Use in a Patient With Schizophrenia: A Case Report and Review of Literature

In this case report, we describe a rather unique case of a 37-year-old male patient suffering from schizophrenia who presented with a fixed upwards gaze diagnosed as oculogyric crisis (OGC). This presentation was attributed to the effects of risperidone, a second-generation antipsychotic, while concomitantly taking benztropine mesylate. The latter is a medication commonly used to prevent dystonia in this type of patient population. Interestingly, the dose of risperidone was minimal, and side effects were not expected, making this presentation rare and not often cited or represented in the medical literature, given that second-generation antipsychotics are known to have a safer side effect profile when compared to their counterparts. We also aim to provide a review of the literature on this topic and describe the approach to diagnosis and treatment of such.