14 research outputs found
Hypothermia following antipsychotic drug use
Objective: Hypothermia is an adverse drug reaction (ADR) of
antipsychotic drug (APD) use. Risk factors for hypothermia in
ADP users are unknown. We studied which risk factors for
hypothermia can be identified based on case reports.
Method: Case reports of hypothermia in APD-users found in
PUBMED or EMBASE were searched for risk factors. The
WHO international database for Adverse Drug Reactions was
searched for reports of hypothermia and APD use.
Results: The literature search resulted in 32 articles containing
43 case reports. In the WHO database, 480 reports were
registered of patients developing hypothermia during the
use of APDs which almost equals the number of reports for
hyperthermia associated with APD use (n=524). Hypothermia
risk seems to be increased in the first days following start
or dose increase of APs. APs with strong 5-HT2 antagonism
seem to be more involved in hypothermia; 55% of hypothermia
reports are for atypical antipsychotics. Schizophrenia was
the most prevalent diagnosis in the case reports.
Conclusion: Especially in admitted patients who are not able
to control their own environment or physical status, frequent
measurements of body temperature (with a thermometer that
can measure low body temperatures) must be performed in
order to detect developing hypothermia