Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a highly rare, however, serious and even life-threatening condition. It occurs as an individual reaction to neuroleptic and antipsychotic medications used for the treatment of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other mental health disorders and associated with dopamine receptor-antagonist properties (Benzer, 2022). It may be caused either by the initiation of treatment, after the dosage increase, or after the change of drugs, and its traditional onset is 4-14 days.
Major symptoms of NMS include hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, pallor, diaphoresis, dyspnea, dysphagia, autonomic instability, tremor, and delirium. If left untreated, it may lead to organs’ failure, lethargy, and coma, and death.
Treatment includes the cancellation of NMS-causing medications, the introduction of dantrolene to relax muscles and bromocriptine or amantadine for the production of dopamine, and electroconvulsive therapy in severe cases. Traditionally, recovery takes 1-2 week, and the patient may take antipsychotic drugs again, however, the doctor’s continuous monitoring is required.
Reference
Benzer, T. I. (2022). Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome. Medscape. Web.