Biomaterial Database

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome associated with clozapine use. 1991

E S Anderson, and P S Powers

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa.

Clozapine, an atypical antipsychotic drug, is indicated for severely ill schizophrenic patients refractory to treatment with conventional neuroleptics. One advertised advantage of clozapine is the absence of associated neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). On the basis of a clinical case, the authors question this claim. They are concerned that this potentially fatal condition may be misdiagnosed if physicians are not aware of possible NMS associated with the use of clozapine.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009459	Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome	A potentially fatal syndrome associated primarily with the use of neuroleptic agents (see ANTIPSYCHOTIC AGENTS) which are in turn associated with dopaminergic receptor blockade (see RECEPTORS, DOPAMINE) in the BASAL GANGLIA and HYPOTHALAMUS, and sympathetic dysregulation. Clinical features include diffuse MUSCLE RIGIDITY; TREMOR; high FEVER; diaphoresis; labile blood pressure; cognitive dysfunction; and autonomic disturbances. Serum CPK level elevation and a leukocytosis may also be present. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p1199; Psychiatr Serv 1998 Sep;49(9):1163-72)	Neuroleptic-Induced Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome,Neuroleptic-Malignant Syndrome, Neuroleptic Induced,NMS (Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome),NMSs (Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome),Neuroleptic Induced Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome,Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome, Neuroleptic Induced,Neuroleptic Malignant Syndromes,Syndrome, Neuroleptic Malignant,Syndromes, Neuroleptic Malignant
D003024	Clozapine	A tricylic dibenzodiazepine, classified as an atypical antipsychotic agent. It binds several types of central nervous system receptors, and displays a unique pharmacological profile. Clozapine is a serotonin antagonist, with strong binding to 5-HT 2A/2C receptor subtype. It also displays strong affinity to several dopaminergic receptors, but shows only weak antagonism at the dopamine D2 receptor, a receptor commonly thought to modulate neuroleptic activity. Agranulocytosis is a major adverse effect associated with administration of this agent.	Clozaril,Leponex
D004305	Dose-Response Relationship, Drug	The relationship between the dose of an administered drug and the response of the organism to the drug.	Dose Response Relationship, Drug,Dose-Response Relationships, Drug,Drug Dose-Response Relationship,Drug Dose-Response Relationships,Relationship, Drug Dose-Response,Relationships, Drug Dose-Response
D004334	Drug Administration Schedule	Time schedule for administration of a drug in order to achieve optimum effectiveness and convenience.	Administration Schedule, Drug,Administration Schedules, Drug,Drug Administration Schedules,Schedule, Drug Administration,Schedules, Drug Administration
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328	Adult	A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available.	Adults
D012563	Schizophrenia, Paranoid	A chronic form of schizophrenia characterized primarily by the presence of persecutory or grandiose delusions, often associated with hallucination.	Delusional Disorder,Paranoid Schizophrenia,Delusional Disorders,Disorder, Delusional,Disorders, Delusional,Paranoid Schizophrenias,Schizophrenias, Paranoid