Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Case Reports
. 2003 Sep 2;169(5):439-42.

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome: case report and discussion

Geethan J Chandran  1 , John R Mikler, David L Keegan
Affiliations
Case Reports

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome: case report and discussion

Geethan J Chandran et al. CMAJ. .

Abstract

We report a case involving an 81-tear-old man with schizoaffective disorder who presented with neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) after an increase in his neuroleptic dose. NMS, a rare but potentially fatal complication of neuroleptic medications (e.g., antipsychotics, sedatives and antinauseants), is characterized by hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, an elevated creatine kinase level and autonomic instability. The syndrome often develops after a sudden increase in dosage of the neuroleptic medication or in states of dehydration. Treatment is mainly supportive and includes withdrawal of the neuroleptic medication and, possibly, administration of drugs such as dantrolene and bromocriptine. Complications of NMS include acute renal failure and acute respiratory failure. Given the widespread prescription of neuroleptics by physicians in a variety of fields, all physicians need to be able to recognize and appropriately manage NMS.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Box 1
Box 1
Box 2
Box 2
Box 3
Box 3
Box 4
Box 4
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

  • Recognizing neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
    Rosebush PI, Garside S, Mazurek MF. Rosebush PI, et al. CMAJ. 2004 May 25;170(11):1645. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.1031692. CMAJ. 2004. PMID: 15159345 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

References

    1. Adnet P, Lestavel P, Krivosic-Horber R. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Br J Anaesth 2000;85(1):129-35. - PubMed
    1. Delay J, Deniker P. Drug-induced extrapyramidal syndromes. In: Vinken DJ, Bruyn GW, editors. Handbook of clinical neurology. Amsterdam: North-Holland Publishing; 1968. p. 248-66.
    1. Myers RD. Neurochemistry of thermoregulation: two negatives make a positive. Brain Res Bull 1999;50(5,6):453-4. - PubMed
    1. Toru M, Matsuda O, Makaguchi K. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome-like state following a withdrawal of antiparkinsonian drug. J Nerv Ment Dis 1981; 169:324-7. - PubMed
    1. Tollefson G. A case of neuroleptic malignant syndrome: in vitro muscle comparison with malignant hyperthermia. J Clin Psychopharmacol 1982;2:266-70. - PubMed

Publication types