Neuroleptic malignant syndrome without fever after addition of oxcarbazepine to long-term treatment with amisulpride

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome with Minimal Dose of Amisulpride

Amisulpride is an atypical antipsychotic drug, it helps in alleviation of symptoms of psychotic illnesses. Extrapyramidal features have been reported after taking amisulpride. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) with amisulpride is rare, and have been reported earlier. In all the earlier reported cases patient received more than 150 mg of amisulpride. To the best of our knowledge we are reporting a case of NMS with very minimal dose of Amisulpride (50 mg) taken for very short period.

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome Associated with Valproate in an Adolescent

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a life-threatening idiosyncratic reaction that usually occurs after the administration of antipsychotic drugs. Antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and antiepileptic drugs are also suggested to be associated with NMS. It is believed to result from a dopaminergic blockade in the central nervous system. NMS is manifested by hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, autonomic dysfunction, altered mental status, leukocytosis, and elevated serum creatinine phosphokinase. Valproate is commonly used in the treatment of many psychiatric and neurologic disorders. Valproate can precipitate NMS, especially when used with antipsychotic drugs concurrently. A 17-year-old male patient, who presented with fever, muscular rigidity, confusion, sweating, and tachycardia was admitted to the emergency room. He had been taking only valproate for the last two months for bipolar disorder. His laboratory analyses revealed raised serum hepatic enzymes, creatinine phosphokinase, and myoglobin levels. Considering fever, rigidity, autonomic dysfunction, cognitive alteration, and high creatinine phosphokinase levels, the patient was diagnosed with NMS. In this paper, we aim to discuss the association between valproate and NMS.

Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis: A Potential Mimic of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome

BACKGROUND

Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis is an autoimmune disorder characterized by behavioral changes, dyskinesia, and autonomic instability.

PATIENT DESCRIPTION

We describe a 14-year-old girl who initially presented with acute behavioral changes and seizures and who over a 2-week period developed high fever, tachycardia, and elevated blood pressures.

RESULTS

Because she received multiple medications including anticonvulsants and a neuroleptic, our patient was initially diagnosed with neuroleptic malignant syndrome, a disorder characterized by autonomic dysfunction, hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, and mental status changes usually caused by the use of a neuroleptic agent. Further investigation, however, revealed the presence of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antibodies and an ovarian teratoma. Symptoms resolved after teratoma resection and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy.

CONCLUSION

We propose that anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis can cause a paraneoplastic syndrome mimicking neuroleptic malignant syndrome.

Second-generation antipsychotics and neuroleptic malignant syndrome: systematic review and case report analysis

BACKGROUND

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare, severe, idiosyncratic adverse reaction to antipsychotics. Second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) were originally assumed to be free from the risk of causing NMS, however several cases of NMS induced by SGAs (SGA-NMS) have been reported.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to systematically review available studies and case reports on SGA-NMS and compare the presentation of NMS induced by different SGAs.

DATA SOURCES

Citations were retrieved from PubMed up to November 2013, and from reference lists of relevant citations.

STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Eligibility criteria included (a) primary studies reporting data on NMS, with at least 50 % of the sample receiving SGAs; or (b) case reports and case reviews reporting on NMS induced by SGA monotherapy, excluding those due to antipsychotic withdrawal.

STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS

A standardized method for data extraction and coding was developed for the analysis of eligible case reports.

RESULTS

Six primary studies and 186 individual cases of NMS induced by SGAs were included. Primary studies suggest that SGA-NMS is characterized by lower incidence, lower clinical severity, and less frequent lethal outcome than NMS induced by first-generation antipsychotics. Systematic analysis of case reports suggests that even the most recently marketed antipsychotics are not free from the risk of inducing NMS. Furthermore, clozapine-, aripiprazole- and amisulpride-induced NMS can present with atypical features more frequently than other SGA-NMS, i.e. displaying less intense extrapyramidal symptoms or high fever.

LIMITATIONS

Case reports report non-systematic data, therefore analyses may be subject to bias.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS OF KEY FINDINGS

Clinicians should be aware that NMS is virtually associated with all antipsychotics, including those most recently marketed. Although apparently less severe than NMS induced by older antipsychotics, SGA-NMS still represent a relevant clinical issue.

Drug interactions with the newer antiepileptic drugs (AEDs)--Part 2: pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions between AEDs and drugs used to treat non-epilepsy disorders

Since antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are prescribed to treat various non-epilepsy-related disorders in addition to the fact that patients with epilepsy may develop concurrent disorders that will need treatment, the propensity for AEDs to interact with non-AEDs is considerable and indeed can present a difficult clinical problem. The present review details the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions that have been reported to occur with the new AEDs (eslicarbazepine acetate, felbamate, gabapentin, lacosamide, lamotrigine, levetiracetam, oxcarbazepine, perampanel, pregabalin, retigabine (ezogabine), rufinamide, stiripentol, tiagabine, topiramate, vigabatrin and zonisamide) and drugs used to treat non-epilepsy disorders. Interaction study details are described, as necessary, so as to allow the reader to take a view as to the possible clinical significance of particular interactions. Pharmacokinetic interactions relate to hepatic enzyme induction or inhibition and involved a variety of drugs including psychoactive drugs, cardioactive drugs, oral contraceptives, antituberculous agents, analgesics and antineoplastic drugs. A total of 68 pharmacokinetic interactions have been described, with lamotrigine (n = 22), topiramate (n = 18) and oxcarbazepine (n = 7) being associated with most, whilst lacosamide, pregabalin, stiripentol and vigabatrin are associated with none. Overall, only three pharmacodynamic interactions have been described and occur with oxcarbazepine, perampanel and pregabalin.

An atypical case of neuroleptic malignant syndrome precipitated by valproate

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) can be caused by various drugs. We report a case of a 60-year-old woman who presented with high-grade fever, muscular rigidity, tachycardia, tachypnoea and altered sensorium along with seizures. She had been taking olanzapine for the past 2 years for psychosis. For the last month valproate was added to her treatment. Her blood investigations revealed hyponatraemia and raised serum ammonia and creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) levels. In view of hyperthermia, muscular rigidity, autonomic disturbances, altered mental status and raised CPK, a diagnosis of NMS was made. Valproate could have probably precipitated NMS; although the patient was taking antipsychotics for a long time, it was only with the addition of valproate that she developed these symptoms. Raised serum ammonia levels also indicated the presence of valproate toxicity. Seizures were probably due to electrolyte disturbances. Offending drugs were withdrawn. The patient improved with treatment by dopamine agonist and other supportive treatments.

An atypical case of neuroleptic malignant syndrome precipitated by valproate

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) can be caused by various drugs. We report a case of a 60-year-old woman who presented with high-grade fever, muscular rigidity, tachycardia, tachypnoea and altered sensorium along with seizures. She had been taking olanzapine for the past 2 years for psychosis. For the last month valproate was added to her treatment. Her blood investigations revealed hyponatraemia and raised serum ammonia and creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) levels. In view of hyperthermia, muscular rigidity, autonomic disturbances, altered mental status and raised CPK, a diagnosis of NMS was made. Valproate could have probably precipitated NMS; although the patient was taking antipsychotics for a long time, it was only with the addition of valproate that she developed these symptoms. Raised serum ammonia levels also indicated the presence of valproate toxicity. Seizures were probably due to electrolyte disturbances. Offending drugs were withdrawn. The patient improved with treatment by dopamine agonist and other supportive treatments.