Prevalence of neuroleptic malignant syndrome in 672 consecutive male in-patients.
BACKGROUND
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is the most serious and potentially fatal adverse effect of neuroleptic medications. Although it occurs most frequently with conventional antipsychotic medicines, it may occur with newer antipsychotic medicines also. So far, there is no study available about the prevalence of this condition in the Indian population.


OBJECTIVE
To find the prevalence of NMS in the Indian population .


METHODS
A total of 672 consecutive male patients who were hospitalized with psychotic breakdowns and treated with neuroleptics were screened for evidence of the development of NMS, clinically, and supported by laboratory investigations.


RESULTS
Three patients, all suffering from manic episode, developed NMS within few days of initiation of neuroleptic medicines. Haloperidol injection was given in all three cases .


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of NMS was 0.45%. All were young males, suffering from manic episode with psychotic symptoms and managed with oral and parentral neuroleptic medicines.
Sarkar
Pradyot
P
Department of Psychiatry, Command Hospital, Alipore, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
Natarajan
Chandrashekhar
C
Gode
Neeta
N