Neuroleptic malignant syndrome complicating levodopa withdrawal.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a case of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) resulting from withdrawal of low-dose levodopa therapy for mild Parkinson's disease.


METHODS
Treatment with levodopa, 50 mg, and benserazide, 12.5 mg, three times a day was withdrawn from a 76-year-old woman with mild Parkinson's disease because she was experiencing intermittent confusion. Fever (38.5 degrees C), tachycardia, increased confusion, severe rigidity and generalised stimulus-sensitive myoclonus developed after 12 hours. The creatine kinase level rose to 2058 U/L.


RESULTS
The fever abated with reintroduction of levodopa. Rigidity was slow to resolve and required additional treatment with dantrolene sodium.


CONCLUSIONS
NMS may be precipitated by withdrawal of relatively low doses of levodopa, even in patients with mild Parkinson's disease. Hyperthermia and rigidity in NMS may result from involvement of separate central dopaminergic pathways.
Reutens
D C
DC
Royal Perth Hospital, WA.
Harrison
W B
WB
Goldswain
P R
PR
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009459:Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome / Q000209:etiology*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome
D007980:Levodopa