Neuroleptic malignant syndrome associated with clozapine use

Abstract

Clozapine, an atypical antipsychotic drug, is indicated for severely ill schizophrenic patients refractory to treatment with conventional neuroleptics. One advertised advantage of clozapine is the absence of associated neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). On the basis of a clinical case, the authors question this claim. They are concerned that this potentially fatal condition may be misdiagnosed if physicians are not aware of possible NMS associated with the use of clozapine.