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What Causes Narcoleptic Syndrome?
I was just informed that my 81 year old father has some sort of narcoleptic syndrome triggered by medications which he has been taking for dementia (seroquel). Is this really a possible explanation for the fact that one month ago he was perfectly mobile, talking and functioning normally with sporadic memory loss and is bedridden and unable to speak or move for the past 5 days??
Mon, 30 Sep 2019
Hello,
The neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a reaction of the body after the block of dopamine receptors.
It has a genetic basis, so some people are more liable to have this syndrome, while others are not.
The use of antipsychotics in the elderly is commonly associated with the neuroleptic malignant syndrome, so we give Carbamazepine to an elderly patient instead of antipsychotic,the dose should start from 100mg and increase gradually every 6 days to reach 600 mg per day in three divided doses.
But,we could give antipsychotic to the elderly patient in a small dose then every 6 days we could increase the dose gradually until the case responds or the side effects occur.
The treatment of neuroleptic malignant syndrome should be in a well-equipped hospital and a full investigations should be done to ensure that he has not any serious consequences.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Dr/Mustafa, Neurologist
The neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a reaction of the body after the block of dopamine receptors.
It has a genetic basis, so some people are more liable to have this syndrome, while others are not.
The use of antipsychotics in the elderly is commonly associated with the neuroleptic malignant syndrome, so we give Carbamazepine to an elderly patient instead of antipsychotic,the dose should start from 100mg and increase gradually every 6 days to reach 600 mg per day in three divided doses.
But,we could give antipsychotic to the elderly patient in a small dose then every 6 days we could increase the dose gradually until the case responds or the side effects occur.
The treatment of neuroleptic malignant syndrome should be in a well-equipped hospital and a full investigations should be done to ensure that he has not any serious consequences.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Dr/Mustafa, Neurologist
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