What can be mistaken for serotonin syndrome?

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome, which often times mimics serotonin syndrome, also develops over days to weeks [8,9]. Besides, in 70\% of the patients, clinical signs including agitated delirium with confusion appear first, followed by tremors, rigidity, hyperthermia, profuse diaphoresis and tachypnoea [10-12].

What is the difference between neuroleptic malignant syndrome and malignant hyperthermia?

Malignant hyperthermia is extremely rare in the postoperative setting, and serotonin syndrome has a faster onset and neuromuscular hyperactivity while neuroleptic malignant syndrome has a slower onset and neuromuscular hypoactivity.

What is the opposite of serotonin syndrome?

Dopamine and serotonin have opposite effects on appetite; whereas serotonin suppresses it, low levels of dopamine can stimulate hunger.

What are the characteristics of serotonin syndrome?

Serotonin is a chemical your body produces that’s needed for your nerve cells and brain to function. But too much serotonin causes signs and symptoms that can range from mild (shivering and diarrhea) to severe (muscle rigidity, fever and seizures). Severe serotonin syndrome can cause death if not treated.

What happens in neuroleptic malignant syndrome?

Symptoms of neuroleptic malignant syndrome usually include very high fever (102 to 104 degrees F), irregular pulse, accelerated heartbeat (tachycardia), increased rate of respiration (tachypnea), muscle rigidity, altered mental status, autonomic nervous system dysfunction resulting in high or low blood pressure.

What is malignant neuroleptic syndrome?

INTRODUCTION Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a life-threatening neurologic emergency associated with the use of antipsychotic (neuroleptic) agents and characterized by a distinctive clinical syndrome of mental status change, rigidity, fever, and dysautonomia.

What helps neuroleptic malignant syndrome?

Medications prescribed as treatment may include skeletal muscle relaxants, such as dantrolene; stimulators of dopamine production and activity, such as bromocriptine; and/or continuous perfusion of central nervous system depressants, such as diazepam.

What is another name for neuroleptic?

Antipsychotics, also known as neuroleptics, are a class of psychotropic medication primarily used to manage psychosis (including delusions, hallucinations, paranoia or disordered thought), principally in schizophrenia but also in a range of other psychotic disorders.

Why does neuroleptic malignant syndrome occur?

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome comes about, most likely, as a result of “dopamine D2 receptor antagonism”. Dopamine is a chemical substance (neurotransmitter) found in the brain and elsewhere in the central nervous system that acts to convey messages from one cell to another.