Suspected neuroleptic malignant syndrome in a patient receiving clozapine

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of suspected neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) associated with clozapine therapy. CASE SUMMARY: A 42-year-old schizophrenic man treated with clozapine developed a temperature of 39.5 degrees C, diaphoresis, tachycardia, rigidity, and leukocytosis. His serum creatine kinase concentration was 25 000 U/L. A diagnosis of NMS was made. He was treated with bromocriptine and supportive therapy, and recovered within a week. DISCUSSION: Despite earlier expectations that clozapine, with a pharmacologic profile differing from that of other antipsychotic medications, might not cause NMS, NMS remains the most likely diagnosis in this case. CONCLUSIONS: NMS may be a possible complication of clozapine therapy.

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				S. Hasan and P. Buckley Novel Antipsychotics and the Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome: A Review and Critique Am J Psychiatry, August 1, 1998; 155(8): 1113 - 1116. [Abstract] [Full Text]