Possible Aripiprazole-Induced Hypothermia: An "Icy" Side Effect?

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Clinical Medicine
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Antipsychotics are commonly prescribed for various conditions.
• These medications are known to cause temperature dysregulation, primarily hyperthermia.
• Hypothermia is a less common but severe adverse effect of antipsychotic use.

Observation:

• An 81-year-old female presented with hypotension, hypothermia, and bradycardia.
• Initial treatments for infection and endocrinopathy were negative.
• The patient required external warming even after other vital signs stabilized.

Findings:

• Aripiprazole was suspected as the cause of the patient's hypothermia.
• Discontinuation of aripiprazole led to the normalization and stabilization of body temperature.
• This suggests a direct link between aripiprazole and the observed hypothermia.

Implications:

• Clinicians should consider drug-induced hypothermia, specifically from aripiprazole, in patients presenting with unexplained hypothermia.
• Promptly discontinuing the suspected antipsychotic is crucial for patient safety.
• This case underscores the importance of vigilant monitoring for rare but serious side effects of antipsychotic medications.