Neuroleptic malignant syndrome due to depot fluphenazine

The parenteral long-acting phenothiazines are drugs frequently used in the treatment of hospitalized and ambulatory psychiatric patients. The usual side effects of these drugs are familiar to psychiatrists. However, the "Neuroleptic malignant syndrome" reported in this paper can give rise to considerable diagnostic difficulty. The clinical characteristics and differential diagnosis of this syndrome are described with a care report. The need for prompt initiation of adequate therapy is stressed.