Aripiprazole and neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
Aripiprazole, an atypical antipsychotic with a novel method of action, has only recently been awarded a license in the UK. We report our first patient to receive this drug, who had treatment-resistant schizophrenia and developed neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) with aripiprazole. To our knowledge, this is the first published case report involving aripiprazole and NMS in a potentially fatal medical emergency. Further experience with this drug should indicate whether this is an isolated case (as described with other atypical antipsychotics) or constitutes a more serious risk than that suggested by the relatively beneficial therapeutic profile described in the literature to date.
Department of Psychiatry, Ailsa Hospital, Ayr, UK. nandini_dass@rediffmail.com
Nandini
N
Chakraborty
Timothy
T
Johnston
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068180:Aripiprazole; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D008140:Lorazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D009459:Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome / Q000209:etiology*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015363:Quinolones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010879:Piperazines; D015363:Quinolones; D000068180:Aripiprazole; D008140:Lorazepam