RISPERIDONE-INDUCED NEUROLEPTIC MALIGNANT SYNDROME

OBJECTIVE: TO describe a patient with neuroleptic malignant syndrome ( NMS) induced by risperidone, an atypical antipsychotic, and to review the available literature related to risperidone-associated NMS. DATA S OURCE: Case report information was obtained from the resident physicia n and medical records. MEDLINE and Index Medicus were searched to obta in literature published between 1960 and 1995. DATA SYNTHESIS: We repo rt an adolescent boy who developed NMS after treatment with risperidon e, Risperidone therapy was started after unsuccessful treatment and de velopment of extrapyramidal adverse effects with haloperidol. The pati ent demonstrated the classic tetrad of fever, generalized skeletal mus cle rigidity, altered mental status, and autonomic dysfunction. Risper idone was discontinued and the patient recovered after a prolonged hos pital course with supportive management. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians are c autioned about the possibility of NMS with risperidone.