NEUROLEPTIC MALIGNANT SYNDROME-ASSOCIATED WITH ABRUPT WITHDRAWAL OF ANTICHOLINERGIC AGENTS

Citation
B. Spivak et al., NEUROLEPTIC MALIGNANT SYNDROME-ASSOCIATED WITH ABRUPT WITHDRAWAL OF ANTICHOLINERGIC AGENTS, International clinical psychopharmacology, 11(3), 1996, pp. 207-209
Citations number
11
Categorie Soggetti
Pharmacology & Pharmacy",Psychiatry
ISSN journal
02681315
Volume
11
Issue
3
Year of publication
1996
Pages
207 - 209
Database
ISI
SICI code
0268-1315(1996)11:3<207:NMSWAW>2.0.ZU;2-W
Abstract
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a severe side-effect of neurol eptic treatment. It is usually related to hypodopaminergic activity. A young schizophrenic patient who developed a typical episode of NMS du ring abrupt withdrawal of long-acting neuroleptic combined with antich olinergic treatment is described. NMS appeared following combined neur oleptic/anticholinergic withdrawal and responded to procyclidine admin istration. The appearance of NMS after discontinuation of antidopamine rgic treatment seems to be in conflict with the hypodopaminergic theor y of this adverse effect. It is suggested that simultaneous withdrawal of both anticholinergic and neuroleptic medications, mainly long-acti ng neuroleptics, seems to be a risk factor for NMS.