Suspected neuroleptic malignant syndrome in a patient receiving clozapine.
OBJECTIVE
To report a case of suspected neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) associated with clozapine therapy.


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Ganelin
L
L
Department of Psychiatry, Herzog Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel.
Lichtenberg
P S
PS
Marcus
E L
EL
Munter
R G
RG
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001971:Bromocriptine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003024:Clozapine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009459:Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D018491:Dopamine Agonists; D001971:Bromocriptine; D003024:Clozapine