Chorea Associated with the Use of Oral Contraceptives

Abstract

A 17-year-old black female developed Sydenham's chorea 8 weeks after inaugurating the daily use of an oral contraceptive. Two weeks after she stopped the oral contraceptive, her signs and symptoms of chorea dis appeared. Other causes of chorea were eliminated by various lab tests and a 4-year follow-up on the patient. Phenytoin sodium and methadone are cited as two other medications that have been associated with drug-induced chorea. Some theories are presented about altered dopaminergic sensitivity by various drugs that could produce choreic movements. The literature of chorea asso ciated with oral contraceptives is reviewed. The pediatrician is reminded to consider side effects of oral contraceptives when dealing with a sick teenager.

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