Neuroleptic malignant syndrome - life-threatening complication of treatment with antipsychotic drugs
Abstract
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a serious and life-threatening condition, which occurs especially as an antipsychotic treatment complication. The main symptoms are : extrapyramidal symptoms (rigidity, tremor), hyperthermia, tachycardia and hypertension as the signs of autonomous deregulation.
High serum creatinkinase and leukocytosis without a shift to the left are typical for the laboratory find. The risk of NMS developing can increase with patient s exhaustion, dehydratation or infection.
The first step in the therapy of NMS is discontinuation of neuroleptics, hydratation, mineral correction, therapy of hyperthermia and supportation of cardiovascular, renal and respiratory functions. Treatment of this syndrome should be provided in intensive care units, The cases report to the risk factors of NMS and a difficult diagnostics and treatment.