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Hypothermia induced by atypical neuroleptics
M Schwaninger1, M Weisbrod, S Schwab
1Department of Neurology, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
Clinical Neuropharmacology
|December 9, 1998
Summary
Hypothermia is a serious risk with certain antipsychotic medications. Antipsychotics with strong 5-HT2 receptor antagonism may increase the risk of hypothermia, especially atypical neuroleptics.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Neuroscience
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Hypothermia is a critical medical emergency.
- Neuroleptic medications are used to manage various psychiatric conditions.
Observation:
- A case study identified recurrent hypothermia in a patient treated with pipamperone.
- Reducing the pipamperone dosage resolved the hypothermic episodes.
- Nine additional cases of neuroleptic-induced hypothermia were reported in Germany.
Findings:
- A significant majority of hypothermia cases involved drugs with potent 5-HT2 receptor antagonism.
- Experimental data supports a link between 5-HT2 antagonism and hypothermia.
- Many atypical antipsychotics possess strong 5-HT2 antagonistic properties.
Implications:
- Antipsychotics with strong 5-HT2 antagonism may pose a risk of hypothermia.
- Clinicians should exercise caution when prescribing atypical neuroleptics due to potential hypothermia risk.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying neuroleptic-induced hypothermia.