Risk for definite neuroleptic malignant syndrome. A prospective study in 223 consecutive in-patients

Br J Psychiatry. 1992 Aug:161:254-7. doi: 10.1192/bjp.161.2.254.

Abstract

The occurrence of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) was studied prospectively in two series of consecutive psychiatric in-patients (n = 223). The first group (n = 120) suffered from schizophrenia and was treated only with haloperidol. The second group (n = 103) was treated with diverse neuroleptics. All patients were on a single antipsychotic agent with no anticholinergic drug as prophylaxis. The incidence of full NMS per admission and first neuroleptic exposure was 5/223 (2.2%). Patients with bipolar affective disorder and those treated with injections were significantly over-represented in the NMS group.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Antipsychotic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antipsychotic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Bipolar Disorder / drug therapy*
  • Bipolar Disorder / psychology
  • Creatine Kinase / blood
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Haloperidol / administration & dosage
  • Haloperidol / adverse effects
  • Hospitalization*
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intramuscular
  • Male
  • Methotrimeprazine / administration & dosage
  • Methotrimeprazine / adverse effects
  • Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome / etiology*
  • Neurologic Examination / drug effects
  • Perphenazine / administration & dosage
  • Perphenazine / adverse effects
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Schizophrenia / drug therapy*
  • Schizophrenic Psychology*

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Methotrimeprazine
  • Creatine Kinase
  • Perphenazine
  • Haloperidol