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Neuroleptic malignant syndrome: A complication of neuroleptics and cocaine abuse

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Abstract

One hundred and sixty psychiatric patients on Neuroleptics, with and without a history of substance abuse were daily monitored in order to establish the incidence of neuroleptic malignant syndrome in these two groups. Four (5.1%) of the cocaine abusers and none of the non-cocaine abusers developed neuroleptic malignant syndrome when treated with neuroleptics. Thus we argue that psychiatric patients with a history of cocaine abuse may be more at risk of developing neuroleptic malignant syndrome when treated with neuroleptics, possibly associated with the blockade of dopamine (D2-receptors) by neuroleptics and the activation of dopamine/5-HT receptors by cocaine-induced dopamine.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Psychiatry, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, 77030, Houston, Texas

    Pedro Ruiz M.D.

Authors
  1. MaCaulay J. Akpaffiong
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  2. Pedro Ruiz M.D.
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Additional information

McCaulay J. Akpaffiong, Pharm.D., Ph.D., is affiliated with College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Texas Southern University, Houston, Texas. Pedro Ruiz, M.D., is Professor of Psychiatry, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.

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Akpaffiong, M.J., Ruiz, P. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome: A complication of neuroleptics and cocaine abuse. Psych Quart 62, 299–309 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01958798

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