Dexmedetomidine Infusion as a Novel Supportive Therapy for Fluphenazine-Induced Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome in a 10-Year-Old Boy: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Severe Recurrence of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome: Usefulness of Dexmedetomidine for Antipsychotic Withdrawal

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a potentially fatal side effect that occurs in patients taking antipsychotics. Patients with NMS are often forced to rechallenge antipsychotic medications to control the underlying psychiatric symptoms. We present a case of severe recurrence of NMS in a patient in whom the administration of antipsychotics was restarted two days after NMS resolution. A 19-year-old man with somatic symptom disorder had been transported for fever, tachycardia, rigidity, and disturbance of consciousness. He was taking atypical antipsychotics with poor medication compliance. A diagnosis of NMS was made, and he was treated with administration of dantrolene sodium and benzodiazepines under tracheal intubation. On day 2, he was extubated. On day 4, his symptoms of NMS improved, but psychiatric symptoms rapidly exacerbated. He and his family strongly insisted on discharge, and we therefore unavoidably restarted the administration of antipsychotics. On day 37, he was retransported, and a diagnosis of recurrence of NMS was made. Blood examination showed marked deterioration of acute kidney injury and disseminated intravascular coagulation compared to those at the first admission. Without the administration of antipsychotics, his psychiatric symptoms were poorly controlled. Administration of dexmedetomidine helped his agitation to be well controlled without antipsychotics for two weeks. Short-term restart of antipsychotic drugs in patients with NMS may result in more severe NMS relapse. Dexmedetomidine may be useful for NMS patients when the administration of antipsychotics cannot be restarted. When antipsychotics are unavoidably rechallenged in patients with NMS, the risk of severe relapse should be taken into consideration, and dexmedetomidine may be used for prolongation of the withdrawal period.

Successful management of delirium with dexmedetomidine in a patient with haloperidol-induced neuroleptic malignant syndrome: A case report

BACKGROUND

We report a case of lorazepam-induced agitated delirium treated with haloperidol, which in turn triggered the onset of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). The latter condition, a medical emergency, was effectively treated with medical treatment and dexmedetomidine, a versatile and highly selective short-acting alpha-2 adrenergic agonist with sedative-hypnotic and anxiolytic effects.

CASE SUMMARY

A 65-year-old man with a history of bipolar disorder presented to the emergency department with severe abdominal discomfort after binge eating. During his hospital stay, he received intravenous lorazepam for insomnia. On the next day, he became delirious and was thus treated with seven doses (5 mg each) of haloperidol over a 48 h period. Signs of NMS (hyperthermia, rigidity, myoclonus of upper limbs, impaired consciousness, tachypnea, and dark urine) became apparent and haloperidol was immediately suspended and brisk diuresis was initiated. On intensive care unit admission, he was confused, disoriented, and markedly agitated. Dexmedetomidine infusion was started with the goal of achieving a Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale score of -1 or 0. NMS was resolved gradually and the patient stabilized, permitting discontinuation of dexmedetomidine after 3 d.

CONCLUSION

Dexmedetomidine may be clinically helpful for the management of NMS, most likely because of its sympatholytic activity.