Hypothermia Associated With Thioridazine Use in an Intellectually Disabled Patient.

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Clinical Medicine
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Intellectual disability can present unique challenges in medication management and monitoring for adverse effects.
• Phenothiazine antipsychotics, like thioridazine, are used to manage various psychiatric conditions but carry potential side effect profiles.
• Hypothermia, a dangerous drop in body temperature, can occur due to various factors, including medication side effects.

Observation:

• A 59-year-old female with intellectual disability presented with symptoms suggestive of a urinary tract infection and was found to be hypothermic (91°F).
• The patient was receiving thioridazine, a phenothiazine antipsychotic, for an unspecified condition.
• A Bair Hugger protocol was initiated for rewarming, and thioridazine was tapered due to suspicion of causing the hypothermia.

Findings:

• The Naranjo probability scale suggested thioridazine as a possible cause of the patient's hypothermia.
• Other potential patient-specific risk factors for hypothermia were investigated and ruled out.
• This case suggests a potential correlation between thioridazine use and the development of hypothermia.

Implications:

• Clinicians should consider phenothiazine antipsychotics, such as thioridazine, as a potential cause of hypothermia, especially in vulnerable populations.
• Early detection and identification of causative agents are crucial for managing and preventing medication-induced hypothermia.
• Patients with intellectual disability, who may have impaired self-care abilities, require vigilant monitoring for adverse drug reactions.