title: Carbamazepine in the treatment of neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a potentially lethal adverse effect to neuroleptic drugs.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report on 2 cases where NMS dramatically improved with carbamazepine. Incidental removal and reapplication of carbamazepine attests to its effectiveness for this condition.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A 34-year-old woman treated for a major depressive disorder experienced NMS with a phenothiazine. Her condition dramatically improved in 8 hours after she was administered carbamazepine. Since carbamazepine was discontinued, NMS recurred in 10 hours and remitted anew within less than 24 hours after reintroduction. A 31-year-old woman experiencing a schizoaffective disorder displayed NMS with aphenothiazine and a butyrophenone. NMS completely resolved within 8 hours after she was administered carbamazepine. NMS recurred within 12 hours after carbamazepine discontinuation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data thus account for a cause-effect relationship between carbamazepine administration and NMS relief, and argue against the neuroleptic withdrawal to be responsible by itself for NMS relief.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Centre Hospitalier Regional et Universitaire, University of Lille, France.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maron
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rascle
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Cottencin
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vaiva
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Goudemand
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009459:Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010640:Phenothiazines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010640:Phenothiazines; D002220:Carbamazepine; C028457:cyamemazine; D006220:Haloperidol