Neuroleptic malignant-like syndrome after abrupt withdrawal of baclofen

We present the case of a 36-year-old man who presented with a clinically neuroleptic malignant-like syndrome involving disorientation, signs of autonomic dysfunction, rigidity and raised total creatine kinase level, but in the absence of any neuroleptic medication. He had, however, abruptly stopped...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford) 2001-01, Vol.15 (1), p.61-63
Main Authors: Turner, M. R., Gainsborough, N.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Autonomic nervous system
Baclofen
Baclofen - adverse effects
Baclofen - therapeutic use
Biological and medical sciences
Complications
Creatine
Creatine kinase
Creatine Kinase - blood
Disorientation
Drug toxicity and drugs side effects treatment
Electrocardiography - drug effects
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Muscle Relaxants, Central - adverse effects
Muscle Relaxants, Central - therapeutic use
Muscle Rigidity - chemically induced
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome - psychology
Paraplegia - complications
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
Psychotropic drugs
Reintroduction
Rigidity
Substance Withdrawal Syndrome - psychology
Toxicity: nervous system and muscle
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Summary:We present the case of a 36-year-old man who presented with a clinically neuroleptic malignant-like syndrome involving disorientation, signs of autonomic dysfunction, rigidity and raised total creatine kinase level, but in the absence of any neuroleptic medication. He had, however, abruptly stopped taking his longterm baclofen in the days prior to presentation. He improved markedly after the reintroduction of baclofen, and we postulate that his clinical syndrome resulted from the sudden withdrawal of this drug. We concur with the concept that neuroleptic malignant syndrome represents a spectrum of disorders, and add it to the list of possible sequelae after abrupt withdrawal of baclofen.
ISSN:0269-8811
1461-7285
DOI:10.1177/026988110101500111