Haloperidol complications in burn patients.
Neuropsychiatric complications are commonly seen in major burn patients. Haloperidol is frequently used to treat severe psychopathic behavior. We have noted severe muscle rigidity-an extrapyramidal side effect of the agent-in a number of burn patients. Haloperidol causes a relative imbalance of dopaminergic and cholinergic neuronal activity in the basal ganglia with a relative increase in cholinergic activity being responsible for EPS. The burn patient may be more prone to extrapyramidal symptoms because of increased sensitivity of skeletal muscle neuromuscular junctions to acetylcholine after thermal injury.
Huang
V
V
Longwood Area Trauma and Burn Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115.
Figge
H
H
Demling
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001480:Basal Ganglia Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications*; D002059:Burns, Inhalation / Q000150:complications; D003693:Delirium / Q000188:drug therapy; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009127:Muscle Rigidity / Q000139:chemically induced*; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000188:drug therapy
D006220:Haloperidol