Pultizer Prize-winning American columnist Jimmy Breslin wrote a front page feature story on Melanie Cane the author of Poisoned Love. Click on the icon to read Jimmy Breslin's cover story:
Anitpsychotic Poisoning
Unintentional antipsychotic poisoning, referred to as Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), is a life-threatening neurological disorder caused by an adverse reaction to antipsychotic drugs. The higher the dosage, the more common the occurrence of antipsychotic poisoning. Rapid and large increases in dosage can also trigger the development of antipsychotic poisoning or NMS. Antipsychotic poisoning typically develops within two weeks of initial treatment with the drug, but may develop at any time the drug is being taken. Antipsychotic poisoning generally presents with muscle rigidity, fever, autonomic instability and cognitive changes such as delirium, and is proven on a raised creatinine phosphokinase. Antipsychotic poisoning treatment is generally supportive.
The first symptom to develop in antispychotic poisoning is usually muscular rigidity, followed by high fever, symptoms of instability of the autonomic nervous system such as high blood pressure, and changes in cognition, including agitation, delirium, and coma. Other symptoms of antipsychotic poisoning may include muscle tremors and pharyngitis. Once the symptoms of antipsychotic poisoning appear, they rapidly progress and can reach peak intensity in as little as three days. These symptoms can last anywhere from eight hours to forty days. In my book Poisoned Love, the antipsychotic poisoning manifested with muscular rigidity which rapidly progressed.
Prognosis: The prognosis is best when identified early and treated aggressively. In these cases, NMS is usually not fatal. The mortality rate is between 10 and 15%. Reintroduction to the drug that caused the NMS to develop may also trigger a recurrence, although in most cases it does not.
Treatment: Treatment is not always necessary, but it could help to cure antipsychotic poisoning and prevent death. First step is taking the patient off the drug and treating the fever aggressively. Depending on the severity of the case, the patient may require intensive care or some kind of supportive care at the minimum. Circulatory and ventilatory support may be needed, treatment with the drugs dantrolene sodium, bromocriptine, apomorphine and ECT if medication fails. Benzodiazapenes my also be of great benefit. In my book Poisoned Love, the treatment for the symptoms of antipsychotic poisoning was supportive and palliative.
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