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Published on: November 21, 2013
Clozapine Withdrawal-Induced Catatonia with Overlapping Features of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome: a Case Report
Rusmir Softic1, Almerisa Tufekcic1, Jasmina Klebic2
1Department of Psychiatry, University Clinical Centre Tuzla, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Background:
Clozapine is the most effective antipsychotic for treatment-resistant schizophrenia, and abrupt discontinuation can lead to severe neuropsychiatric destabilization, including withdrawal catatonia. High-potency dopamine D2 receptor antagonists may further precipitate neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), a condition with substantial clinical overlap with malignant catatonia.
Objective:
This report follows CARE guidelines to provide a structured and transparent description of a complex case involving abrupt clozapine withdrawal and rapid antipsychotic transition.
Case Presentation:
This report describes a male patient with schizophrenia who developed malignant catatonia with overlapping NMS features following abrupt clozapine withdrawal and initiation of fluphenazine.
Conclusion:
The case underscores the importance of cautious antipsychotic transitions and early recognition of catatonia and NMS.
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