FATAL OUTCOME FROM NEUROLEPTIC MALIGNANT SYNDROME-ASSOCIATED WITH CLOZAPINE

The association between clozapine and neuroleptic malignant syndrome ( NMS) is not clear, in part because of the small number of reported cas es and of the concurrent use of other drugs in some instances. We desc ribe a man who developed NMS associated with the use of clozapine and valproic acid. This case provides further evidence that clozapine is a ssociated with NMS, despite being associated with fewer extrapyramidal side effects than many other antipsychotics. The patient ultimately e xpired, emphasizing that NMS can be lethal regardless of the inciting agent. To the best of our knowledge, his death represents the first re ported fatality from clozapine-associated NMS.