Neurol eptic drugs are used in several mental disorders, but are suspected of causing oropharyngeal dysphagia, mainly in the elderly. Aim:To study the effect of neuroleptic agents on swallowing of institutionalized older people. Material and method:A cross sectional study of swallowing in 47 subjects that either used or did not use neuroleptic drugs. Bedside swallowing tests with foods of four different consistencies were carried out.Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups. Users of neuroleptic medications showed a higher percentage of multiple swallowing while non-users had a higher percentage of oral food escape. Conclusion:Neuroleptic agents alone do not affect the mechanism of swallowing in the elderly; nonetheless. Further studies with a larger number of individuals and specific swallowing tests are needed.ORIGINAL ARTICLE Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2011;77(4):526-30. BJORL