Successful Treatment of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome with Sodium Nitroprusside
Authors: MARK G. BLUE
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1986)

Brief Reports1 January 1986Successful Treatment of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome with Sodium NitroprussideMARK G. BLUE, M.D., SANDRA M. SCHNEIDER, M.D., SHARON NORO, R.N., DONALD S. FRALEY, M.D.MARK G. BLUE, M.D., SANDRA M. SCHNEIDER, M.D., SHARON NORO, R.N., DONALD S. FRALEY, M.D.Author, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-104-1-56 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptNeuroleptic malignant syndrome is a rare but potentially fatal complication of neuroleptic therapy. It was first described by Delay and Deniker (1) and is characterized by hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, autonomic instability, and altered level of consciousness. The autonomic instability has been described as labile hypertension, profound vasoconstriction, tachycardia, and severe diaphoresis (2). The syndrome has occurred with a variety of neuroleptic drugs, including dimethylaminopropyl, piperazine, piperidine, phenothiazines, butyrophenones, and thioxanthenes (3), all dopamine-blocking agents. Mortality with the syndrome has been reported to be 20% (4).A 51-year-old white woman with a history of schizophrenia was hospitalized because of decreasing level...References1. DELAYDENIKER JP. Drug-induced extra pyramidal syndromes. In: VINKEN PJ, BRUYN GW, eds. Diseases of the Basal Ganglia. Amsterdam: North-Holland Publishing Co.; 1968:248. (Handbook of Clinical Neurology, vol. 6). Google Scholar2. NEPPE V. The neuroleptic malignant syndrome: a priority system. S Afr Med J. 1984;65:523-5. MedlineGoogle Scholar3. IRWINSIMON GJ. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome. J Emerg Med. 1984;1:207-11. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. CAROFF S. The neuroleptic malignant syndrome. J Clin Psychiatry. 1980;41:79-83. MedlineGoogle Scholar5. COONSHILLMANMARSHALL DFR. Treatment of neuroleptic malignant syndrome with dantrolene sodium: a case report. Am J Psychiatry. 1982;139:944-5. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. KATLICRAMOSZINNER MLM. Sodium nitroprusside in the treatment of extreme pyrexia [Letter]. N Engl J Med. 1978;299:154. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar7. LIN M. Effects of dopamine antagonist and agonist on thermoregulation in rabbits. J Physiol (Lond). 1979;293:217-28. CrossrefGoogle Scholar8. MORRISMCCORMICKREINARZ HWJ. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Arch Neurol. 1980;37:462-3. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar9. WESTLAKERASTEGAR RA. Hyperpyrexia from drug combinations [Letter]. JAMA. 1973;255:1250. CrossrefGoogle Scholar10. MUELLERVESTERFERMAGLICH PJJ. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome: successful treatment with bromocriptine. JAMA. 1983;249:386-8. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Montefiore Hospital University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited ByNeuroleptic malignant syndrome in trauma patientSodium Nitroprusside and Acute Psychosis in the Emergency DepartmentSíndrome neuroléptico malignoPsychiatric Illnesses in the Elderly: A ReviewNeuroleptic Malignant Syndrome in the ElderlyNeuroleptic malignant syndrome: Controversies in treatmentAnesthetic management of a patient with neuroleptic malignant syndromeAetiology and Treatment of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome 1 January 1986Volume 104, Issue 1Page: 56-57KeywordsAntipsychoticsHypertensionHyperthermiaMortalityMusclesPhenothiazineSchizophreniaSodiumTachycardiaVasoconstriction Issue Published: 1 January 1986 PDF DownloadLoading ...