OBJECTIVE: This report identifies neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) occurring on a steady state dosage of clozapine monotherapy. CLINICAL PICTURE: An outpatient presented with a recent history of stiffness and soreness of his legs, dizziness, polydipsia, polyuria, abdominal and chest pains. After admission to a general hospital, further symptomatology was identified including: pallor, diaphoresis, nausea, confusion, agitation, decrease in normal reflexes, minimally reactive pupils and rigid limbs. TREATMENT: Intravenous (I/V) diazepam was administered but failed to decrease the agitation and confusion. He was sedated with the administered of I/V droperadol, intubated and placed on a ventilator with circulatory supports for 4 days. OUTCOME: On day five he was extubated and transfered to a medical ward. All laboratory values had returned to normal values by this time. The patient was subsequently discharged. CONCLUSIONS: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome can occur at any stage of clozapine treatment, and the patient can be rechallenged after such an episode. This person was rechallenged and after 6 months of treatment has suffered no further recurrence of NMS.
OBJECTIVE: This report identifies neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) occurring on a steady state dosage of clozapine monotherapy. CLINICAL PICTURE: An outpatient presented with a recent history of stiffness and soreness of his legs, dizziness, polydipsia, polyuria, abdominal and chest pains. After admission to a general hospital, further symptomatology was identified including: pallor, diaphoresis, nausea, confusion, agitation, decrease in normal reflexes, minimally reactive pupils and rigid limbs. TREATMENT: Intravenous (I/V) diazepam was administered but failed to decrease the agitation and confusion. He was sedated with the administered of I/V droperadol, intubated and placed on a ventilator with circulatory supports for 4 days. OUTCOME: On day five he was extubated and transfered to a medical ward. All laboratory values had returned to normal values by this time. The patient was subsequently discharged. CONCLUSIONS:Neuroleptic malignant syndrome can occur at any stage of clozapine treatment, and the patient can be rechallenged after such an episode. This person was rechallenged and after 6 months of treatment has suffered no further recurrence of NMS.