Highlights the importance of early recognition of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome as a rare but potentially fatal complication of antipsychotic treatment.
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Case of zotepine-induced NMS managed successfully; leaves open optimal post-NMS antipsychotic selection in wider populations.
A 39-year-old man with schizophrenia developed severe catatonia, hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, tachycardia, leukocytosis, and elevated muscle enzyme levels while receiving zotepine therapy. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) was diagnosed. After withdrawal of zotepine therapy, transfer to a neurologic intensive care unit, provision of supportive care, and administration of adjunctive bromocriptine therapy, the patient's fever and catatonia subsided. Biochemical irregularities spontaneously returned to normal with no complications. Antipsychotic therapy was restarted with risperidone 12 days after the patient's NMS resolved. After more than 1 year of follow-up, he experienced no adverse events. A recent decrease in mortality from NMS is related to increased awareness of this disorder, but not to treatment with specific agents. Clinicians need to recognize NMS early; although rare, it is a potentially fatal complication of antipsychotic treatment.
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Tsai et al. (2005) studied this question.
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