Am J Psychiatry 1981; 138:818-821
Copyright © 1981 by American Psychiatric Association
New data on lithium and haloperidol incompatibility
G Spring and M Frankel
The authors describe a case of combined lithium and haloperidol toxicity
characterized by hyperpyrexia, severe rigidity, mutism, and development of
irreversible tardive dyskinesia. This case is similar to four other cases
described in the literature and to the neuroleptic malignant syndrome. The
authors postulate that two types of combined lithium-neuroleptic toxicity
occur: a neuroleptic malignant extrapyramidal syndrome and a lithium
toxicity that occurs in combination with phenothiazines, primarily
thioridazine. Possible mechanisms and preventive measures are discussed.
