Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a serious reaction to the use of neuroleptic drugs, such as haloperidol, olanzapine or chlorpromazine and antiemetics, such as metoclopramide, domperidone or promethazine, for example, which can lead to dopamine blockage. Although rare, this syndrome can be life-threatening if treatment is not started quickly and, therefore, it is necessary to be aware of possible symptoms that arise after using this type of medication.
Thus, when signs such as fever above 39º C, difficulty in moving the limbs or extreme agitation, after using this type of medication, it is recommended to go quickly to the hospital, to assess the problem, confirm the diagnosis and start the most appropriate treatment..
Main symptoms
The most common symptoms of neuroleptic malignant syndrome include:
- High fever, above 39ºC; Feeling of shortness of breath; Muscular stiffness; Irregular and rapid heartbeat; Difficulty moving the arms and legs; Mental changes such as confusion, agitation or fainting; Increased sweating; Muscle stiffness, accompanied by tremors; Sphincter incontinence; Sudden changes in blood pressure.
These symptoms can appear in anyone taking treatment with neuroleptic drugs, but they are more likely to occur during the first two weeks of treatment.
At the hospital, in addition to assessing the symptoms, the doctor may also order some tests, such as blood tests and / or tests for kidney and liver function, to be able to reach the diagnosis more easily.
Who is most at risk
Although it is not possible to predict who may suffer from neuroleptic malignant syndrome, it is known that people who normally experience agitation or who take very high doses of neuroleptic drugs are more likely to develop the syndrome.
How the treatment is done
Treatment is usually done in the hospital to assess the evolution of symptoms and to administer medication directly into the vein. The most common forms of treatment include:
- Suspension of the medication that gave rise to the syndrome; Use of activated carbon: helps to reduce the adsorption of the medication, if the ingestion has occurred recently; Serum directly in the vein: maintains adequate hydration and regulates the level of nutrients in the body; Muscle relaxant remedies, such as Dantrolene: relieve muscle stiffness caused by nervous system excitation; Antipyretic remedies, such as paracetamol or dipyrone: decrease body temperature and fight fever.
In addition, the doctor can also use other techniques, including electroconvulsive therapy or plasmapheresis, for example.
Depending on the time of development of the syndrome, complications such as renal failure or marked reduction in the level of oxygen in the body, for example, may need to be treated. See how kidney failure is treated.
Possible complications
When neuroleptic malignant syndrome is not treated properly or treatment is not started in time, various types of complications may arise, such as kidney failure, seizures, pneumonia, liver failure or pulmonary embolism. In the most severe cases, respiratory and cardiac arrest may still occur.
