Md. Nazrul Islam
Associate professor, Department of Neurology, North East Medical College & Hospital, Sylhet
Abstract
I report a case involving a 44 year man with schizoaffective disorder who presented with neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) after a sudden withdrawal in his neuroleptic drug. A rare side effect of antipsychotic medication is neuroleptic malignant syndrome, mainly characterized by hyperthermia, altered mental state, haemodynamic dysregulation, elevated serum creatine kinase and rigor. There may be multi-organ dysfunction including renal and hepatic failure as well as serious rhabdomyolysis, acute respiratory distress syndrome and disseminated intravascular coagulation. 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 administration of drugs like dantrolene and bromocriptine.
Key words: Schizoaffective. Neuroleptic, Hyperthermia.