UMEM Educational Pearls

Title: Toxin-Induced Nystagmus

Keywords: nystagmus, pcp, phenytoin (PubMed Search)

Posted: 4/8/2010 by Bryan Hayes, PharmD (Updated: 4/11/2010)
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Many drugs/toxins cause nystagmus, particularly in overdose. Vertical, horizontal, or rotary nystagmus may be noted.

The most common drug/toxin overdoses that cause nystagmus are the following:

Anticonvulsants (phenytoin, carbamazepine, valproic acid, lamotrigine, topiramate)
Ethanol
Lithium
Dextromethorphan
Phencyclidine (PCP)
Ketamine
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)