[Malignant neuroleptic syndrome associated with amisulpride].
Malignant neuroleptic syndrome (MNS) is a rare side effect of antipsychotic medications but means a serious and life-threatening complication. The risk of MNS seems to be lower for second generation antipsychotics (SGA). We report the 9-month history of a 42-year-old female patient whose antipsychotic medication was switched to 800 mg per day of amisulpride. Two weeks after discharge she suffered muscular pain, stiffness, weakness of the legs, rigor, and fever. After attending our outpatient department and being diagnosed, she was transferred to the neurological intensive unit, where the creatine kinase (CK) level was measured at 160,000 U/l. Furthermore extensive rhabdomyolysis accompanied by a compartment syndrome was seen. Surgical intervention was necessary for the latter. The patient was then retransferred to the psychiatric department after treatment with lorazepam and withdrawal of antipsychotic medications. In addition a therapy with valproate sodium was conducted. Long-term high levels of CK and abnormalities in the electromyogram led to the hypothesis of myopathy as a possible risk factor, but a final diagnostic classification was not feasible. This report describes the appearance of a MNS as a consequence of SGA therapy, discusses risk factors and therapy options, and shows the 9-month course.
Harter
C
C
Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapeutische Medizin, Städtisches Klinikum Karlsruhe, Kaiserallee 10, 76133, Karlsruhe. Christian.harter@klinikum-karlsruhe.com
Obier
C
C
Druschky
K-F
KF
Eikelmann
B
B
D000341:Affective Disorders, Psychotic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D000077582:Amisulpride; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004576:Electromyography / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D009459:Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012563:Schizophrenia, Paranoid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013469:Sulpiride / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D014635:Valproic Acid; D013469:Sulpiride; D000077582:Amisulpride; D003402:Creatine Kinase