title: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome related to use of clozapine.
abstract: A 19-year-old man presented to a community hospital with a sudden change in level of consciousness, fever, and muscle rigidity. The patient had a history of schizophrenia and was being treated with clozapine. Despite a high index of suspicion for neuroleptic malignant syndrome, definitive care was delayed for more than 24 hours after the patient was transferred to a tertiary care center. This case illustrates the importance of primary care physicians being able to recognize and diagnose this syndrome, particularly as the use of atypical antipsychotic agents increases.
authors.affiliation: Penn State Hershey Medical Center, USA.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Trayer
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Fidler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003024:Clozapine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009459:Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome / Q000209:etiology*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003024:Clozapine