title: A hazardous side effect of neuroleptics: diagnosis and treatment.
abstract: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a potentially fatal disease process characterized by hyperthermia, altered mental status, muscular rigidity, and autonomic instability. This syndrome is most often seen in patients who are taking neuroleptics and other psychoactive medications. Primary care physicians are often the first providers to see patients with this syndrome and must be alert to its potential diagnosis. Treatment should be immediate and consists of discontinuing the neuroleptic medication; supporting pulmonary, cardiovascular, and renal functions, and using bromocriptine and/or dantrolene.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Practice and Community Medicine, Martin Army Community Hospital, Fort Benning, Georgia.
authors.forename: T D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Epperly
authors.forename: V G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: McGlaughlin
authors.forename: K U
authors.initials: KU
authors.lastname: Leo
mesh_terms: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001971:Bromocriptine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003620:Dantrolene / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009459:Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001971:Bromocriptine; D003620:Dantrolene