Reversible Hypothermia in a Drug-naive Inpatient with Alzheimer's Disease Receiving Pipamperone.

Abstract

Hypothermia is a potentially life-threatening side effect of antipsychotic drugs, especially those with strong 5-HT2 antagonist properties. However, the exact underlying mechanism is still under debate. We discuss a case of hypothermia following pipamperone treatment in an elderly female inpatient with Alzheimer's disease, which occurred at day 4 after medication onset and vanished after dose reduction. Thus, this case demonstrates 1) the importance of monitoring body temperature even in low-potency antipsychotics, at least in the elderly, and 2) that in some cases, dose reduction may be a sufficient countermeasure.

• Authors: D Kamp, M Paschali, C Lange-Asschenfeldt
• Journal: Pharmacopsychiatry (Pharmacopsychiatry) Vol. 49 Issue 5 Pg. 213-214 (Sep 2016) ISSN: 1439-0795 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 27111131 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
• Copyright: © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Chemical References

• Antipsychotic Agents
• Butyrophenones
• pipamperone

Topics

• Aged
• Alzheimer Disease (drug therapy)
• Antipsychotic Agents (adverse effects)
• Butyrophenones (adverse effects)
• Female
• Humans
• Hypothermia (chemically induced)