Antipsychotic-Induced Hypothermia After Starting Aripiprazole for Posttraumatic Agitation Management: A Case Report

Antipsychotic-induced hypothermia is an uncommon type of secondary hypothermia resulting from neurotransmitter derangements within the nervous system thermoregulation pathway. The most common causative medications include olanzapine, haloperidol, and risperidone, with one published report of aripiprazole. Most individuals who develop antipsychotic-induced hypothermia receive neuroleptic treatment for psychiatric disorder management, with significantly fewer occurrences in those with neurologic disorders. There are currently no reports of antipsychotic-induced hypothermia after a traumatic brain injury (TBI), where antipsychotics are used for the off-label management of posttraumatic agitation.

A retrospective chart review of the patient's medical record was performed.

We present a case of a 56-year-old man with a moderate TBI who developed recurrent episodes of antipsychotic-induced hypothermia after starting aripiprazole for posttraumatic agitation management.

To our knowledge, this is the first publication detailing antipsychotic-induced hypothermia occurring in a TBI patient. Clinicians who initiate antipsychotics for posttraumatic agitation in a TBI patient should be aware of this potential adverse effect, as well as clinical presentation, evaluation, and management strategies.