[Hypothermia during use of pipamperone]

Two women aged 84 and 86 years developed hypothermia after use of pipamperone. In one of the patients repeated administration of pipamperone again induced a decrease of body temperature. Although other clinical and environmental factors may have contributed to the development of hypothermia, a causal relationship between the use of pipamperone and the fall in body temperature appears likely considering the close temporal relationship. Hypothermia has been documented as a side effect of neuroleptics, especially phenothiazines, but it has not been reported in relation to pipamperone. Hypothermia is a potentially lethal condition; the cases described confirm the necessity of being careful with use of neuroleptics in elderly people.