The emergence of tics during escitalopram and sertraline treatment

The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have well-established antidepressant activity and have also demonstrated efficacy in a number of anxiety disorders, including panic disorder. The SSRIs, escitalopram and sertraline, are well-tolerated and movement disorders are rarely associated with their use. We present a case of the emergence of tics associated with escitalopram and sertraline treatment, which might be due to an imbalance in the dopaminergic neurotransmitter system.