Neuroleptic malignant syndrome: a complication of neuroleptics and cocaine abuse.
One hundred and sixty psychiatric patients on Neuroleptics, with and without a history of substance abuse were daily monitored in order to establish the incidence of neuroleptic malignant syndrome in these two groups. Four (5.1%) of the cocaine abusers and none of the non-cocaine abusers developed neuroleptic malignant syndrome when treated with neuroleptics. Thus we argue that psychiatric patients with a history of cocaine abuse may be more at risk of developing neuroleptic malignant syndrome when treated with neuroleptics, possibly associated with the blockade of dopamine (D2-receptors) by neuroleptics and the activation of dopamine/5-HT receptors by cocaine-induced dopamine.
College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Texas Southern University, Houston.
M J
MJ
Akpaffiong
P
P
Ruiz
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D003042:Cocaine; D005260:Female; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D009459:Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine / Q000502:physiology; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000502:physiology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D003042:Cocaine