The 𝘋𝘪𝘢𝘨𝘯𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘔𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘔𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴, fifth edition, criteria for the diagnosis of neuroleptic malignant syndrome include exposure to a dopamine-blocking drug, severe muscular rigidity, fever, and at least two of the following features: diaphoresis, dysphagia, tremor, incontinence, an altered level of consciousness, mutism, tachycardia, elevated or labile blood pressure, leukocytosis, or an elevated serum creatine kinase level. In practice, the syndrome is easier to identify than this list of items suggests. The history, medication list, and context usually make it apparent that the patient has been exposed to a drug implicated in neuroleptic malignant syndrome, but this is not always evident, particularly with medications that are not used primarily for the treatment of psychosis or delirium. To learn more, read the Review Article “Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome” by Eelco F.M. Wijdicks, MD, PhD, and Allan H. Ropper, MD, from Mayo Clinic: https://nej.md/3N31DL6
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