Amisulpride and neuroleptic malignant syndrome

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare but lethal complication of neuroleptics. Its incidence ranges between 0.02% and 3%. Amisulpride, a second generation neuroleptic, was associated with rhabdomyolysis in one report and NMS in 2 reports. Although the precise pathogenesis is still unclear, dopamine receptor blockade is theorized to play a central role. Conventional presentations include hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, and elevated creatine kinase concentrations. However, similar to other second generation neuroleptics, amisulpride induces an atypical form of NMS, which presents with lower degrees of hyperthermia and elevation of creatine kinase than the typical form. This phenomenon makes it difficult to identify early signs of NMS. This study describes the first case of amisulprideinduced NMS in Taiwan, together with a review of the current knowledge on NMS. In this case, the correlation between NMS and amisulpride was categorized as "probable" on the Naranjo adverse drug reaction probability scale.     

Difficulties in diagnosing neuroleptic malignant syndrome

This report describes a recent case of neuroleptic malignant syndrome, a rare adverse effect of antipsychotic medications. Assessment of the neuroleptic malignant syndrome was carried out by using the Naranjo Algorithm Probability Scale which resulted in a highly probable reaction to haloperidol. The difficulties in establishing the diagnosis in this patient lead to late intervention resulting in a slow recovery and prolonged hospitalization. Our objective in this presentation is to highlight the importance of early recognition of this potentially fatal adverse drug reaction.     

Levodopa withdrawal syndrome identical to neuroleptic malignant syndrome

A 60 year old woman with idiopathic Parkinson's disease had been prescribed thioridazine for schizophrenia. Five months after this was stopped, Sinemet also considered of dubious therapeutic value, was withdrawn. One week later she developed features of the neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) accompanied by myoglobinuric renal failure. Post-mortem examination confirmed Lewy body degeneration in the substantia nigra. It is proposed that NMS may be caused by levodopa withdrawal in Parkinson's disease, and that it is withdrawal of dopaminergic drive that causes the syndrome.     

Cerebellar degeneration following neuroleptic malignant syndrome.

A 55-year-old woman with a history of bipolar affective disorder developed hyperpyrexia, rigidity and depressed consciousness (neuroleptic malignant syndrome) after commencing neuroleptic therapy. On regaining consciousness, she was mute and had signs suggesting pancerebellar involvement. Hyperpyrexia, which is a cardinal feature of neuroleptic malignant syndrome, may have caused cerebellar damage. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome needs both early recognition and prompt treatment to obviate devastating complications.     

Severe neuroleptic malignant syndrome: successful treatment with high-dose lorazepam and diazepam: a case report

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is an idiosyncratic and potentially fatal adverse complication of antipsychotic medications and other dopamine-modulating agents. It is characterized by hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, autonomic dysfunction and alteration in mental status. Here, we report a patient with severe NMS who was successfully treated with highdose lorazepam and diazepam. A 61-year-old man with bipolar I disorder was admitted to the hospital because of manic episodes. Fever, muscle rigidity, tachycardia, diaphoresis, elevated blood pressure and delirium occurred following intramuscular injection of haloperidol and NMS was diagnosed. Supportive treatment included hydration, alkalinized fluids and correction of abnormal electrolytes without the use of dantrolene, dopaminergic agents or electroconvulsive therapy. The Francis-Yacoub NMS rating scale was employed for evaluation of clinical improvement, and scores were 55 on the first day and 0 at discharge. The patient was followed up for 6 months and was free of NMS. In conclusion, this is the first report of rapid relief of NMS with high-dose lorazepam and diazepam in a Taiwanese patient.     

A case report of neuroleptic malignant syndrome without fever in a patient given aripiprazole

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare disorder seen most often in patients exposed to antipsychotic medications. This syndrome is generally manifested by hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, autonomic instability, altered mental status, tremors, elevated serum creatinine phosphokinase and leucocytosis. It was first described by Delay during the 1960s. It is considered a medical emergency and is fatal if not promptly addressed. It is clinically relevant not only to psychiatrists but all clinicians since patients taking neuroleptics are seen by physicians from virtually every specialty. Relevant studies report a mortality rate of 10-20%. Conditions that share some features of NMS but have different treatment regimens include serotonergic syndrome, lethal catatonia, malignant hyperthermia, infections and various heat disorders. The importance of recognition and prompt intervention can not be overemphasized. Fever is a predominant symptom in NMS. The authors present an unusual case of NMS in a schizophrenic patient without fever who had been on aripiprazole. To date, there are only three possible reported cases of NMS related to aripiprazole. This case report serves to remind clinicians of the essential features in the diagnosis and management of NMS.     

The neuroleptic malignant syndrome: a logical approach to the patient with temperature and rigidity.

The neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a rare, potentially fatal, adverse reaction to neuroleptic drugs characterised by severe rigidity, high temperature and autonomic dysfunction. In the light of the hypothesized pathophysiology of this condition, a rational approach to the management of patients presenting with temperature and rigidity is provided. The aims of this approach are three-fold: to reduce the incidence of the condition, to be able to recognise it early so as to treat before life-threatening complications arise, and to be able to recognise early those conditions which mimic neuroleptic malignant syndrome, so as not to delay their specific treatment.     

Concomitant neuroleptic malignant syndrome and lithium intoxication in a patient with bipolar I disorder: case report

The purpose of this report is to remind clinicians of the risk of the simultaneous occurrence of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) and lithium intoxication. A 39-year-old female with bipolar I disorder was admitted to our psychiatric ward due to relapse of a manic episode and a suicide attempt in which she had ingested 20 to 30 tablets of lithium (300 mg/tablet) 12 hours before admission. Except for intramuscular injection of 5 mg of haloperidol 30 minutes after admission, the patient received no antipsychotic drugs during her hospitalization. Six hours after admission, she began to show symptoms of NMS. Lithium intoxication was also found. Within a week, her condition had stabilized with no neurological complications or cognitive deficits noted during the following 4 months. Discussed in this case report are the risk factors of NMS found in this patient, drug interactions of lithium and antipsychotic agents as related to NMS, and problems in clinical management.     

Blinking-blepharospasm after long-term neuroleptic treatment

A patient is described who developed frequent blinking and blepharospasm after long-term treatment with trifluoperazine, whose condition improved dramatically after the cessation of the drug. The implications of this for our understanding of the manifestations and natural course of the late-onset side-effects of neuroleptic drugs are discussed. This case further supports the role of dopaminergic mechanisms in the aetiology of Meige's syndrome, which has blepharospasm and oromandibular dystonia as its main manifestations.