Neuroleptic malignant syndrome

The characteristics of neuroleptic malignant syndrome include:

• hyperthermia (can exceed 104F)
• generalized muscle rigidity (can be lead pipe or cogwheeling)
• mental status changes
• autonomic instability (which can include hypertension, labile blood pressure, tachycardia, tachypnea, diaphoresis)
• elevated CPK (creatine phosphokinase) levels (which results from muscle rigidity and is often >5,000
• leukocytosis

There is a large differential diagnosis for neuroleptic malignant syndrome and even if a patient is taking an antipsychotic, conditions that may at first appear to be neuroleptic malignant syndrome usually are not.