Obtaining informed consent of patients at risk of neuroleptic malignant syndrome

Thirty psychiatrists completed a mailed questionnaire about their attitudes toward obtaining informed consent and about the frequency with which they obtained it from patients taking neuroleptic medications who were at risk of tardive dyskinesia, a relatively common but nonfatal side effect, and neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), an uncommon but potentially fatal side effect. Only one psychiatrist reported always or almost always informing patients about the risk of NMS. Psychiatrists were significantly less likely to inform patients about the risk of NMS than the risk of tardive dyskinesia. Psychiatrists may not be aware of the risk of NMS and may not know what information to provide to patients.