PLASMAPHERESIS IN NEUROLEPTIC MALIGNANT SYNDROME

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a severe and potentially fatal react ion to neuroleptic drugs. Treatment requires withdrawal of the neurole ptic agent, metabolic and cardiovascular support, physical cooling and treatment with dantrolene sodium and bromcriptine mesylate. We report a therapeutic success of plasmapheresis in a case of neuroleptic mali gnant syndrome in which conventional therapy had failed. We postulate that plasmapheresis may prove to be a useful tool in treating this fre quently fatal disease.