Haloperidol treatment for agitation in patients with traumatic brain injury can lead to neuroleptic malignant syndrome, which resolves upon drug cessation and supportive care.
Haloperidol for TBI agitation warrants NMS vigilance; single case leaves open safer alternatives.
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare disorder that manifests with rigidity, fever, dysautonomia, and changes in mental status. Haloperidol, an atypical antipsychotic drug, has reportedly been used to treat agitation in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). We herein present the case of a patient with TBI and agitation who, having received haloperidol, developed NMS. The syndrome was successfully treated with supportive care and cessation of haloperidol administration.
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Yen et al. (2013) studied this question.
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