Malignant Syndrome Quiz

It is also called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). It's a rare and serious reaction to certain medicines. Symptoms typically start within hours to days after exposure to the medication, but sometimes can happen after two weeks up to a month from starting it. Most common causative medications include antipsychotics and occasionally drugs used to treat or prevent vomiting, Parkinson's disease etc. Symptoms include dangerously high body temperature, muscular rigidity, and severe agitation and altered mental status.

• Fever

• Fine tremor of the hands and fingers

• Feel the heart is pounding

• Muscle pain

• My brain is not functioning right now

• On psychiatric medications or sleeping pills

• Losing consciousness

• Sweating at the moment

This is a life threatening emergency. With timely treatment, patients usually recover completely from neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). The medication that has caused NMS should be discontinued. Treatment in hospital for monitoring is required. Patients often need body cooling procedures and IV fluids. Some medications can help including muscle relaxants and central nervous system depressants.