NEUROLEPTIC MALIGNANT SYNDROME

Course overview

NEUROLEPTIC MALIGNANT SYNDROME (NMS) IS A LIFE-THREATENING SYNDROME ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF DOPAMINE-RECEPTOR ANTAGONIST MEDICATIONS OR WITH RAPID WITHDRAWAL OF DOPAMINERGIC MEDICATIONS. NMS HAS BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH VIRTUALLY EVERY NEUROLEPTIC AGENT BUT IS MORE COMMONLY REPORTED WITH THE TYPICAL ANTIPSYCHOTICS LIKE HALOPERIDOL AND FLUPHENAZINE. CLASSIC CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS INCLUDE MENTAL STATUS CHANGES, FEVER, MUSCLE RIGIDITY, AND AUTONOMIC INSTABILITY. THIS ACTIVITY DESCRIBES THE PRESENTATION OF NEUROLEPTIC MALIGNANT SYNDROME AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN THE MANAGEMENT OF AFFECTED PATIENTS.