Understanding drug-induced hyperthermia
Drug-induced hyperthermia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54205/ccc.v34.278235Keywords:
Drug-induced hyperthermia, Neuroleptic malignant syndrome, Serotonin syndrome, Malignant hyperthermia, Anticholinergic toxicity, Sympathomimetic toxicityAbstract
Drug-induced hyperthermia encompasses a spectrum of potentially life-threatening syndromes caused by pharmacological agents. This review summarizes the current understanding about the disease pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic challenges, and therapeutic strategies. Emphasis is placed on major syndromes, including neuroleptic malignant syndrome, serotonin syndrome, malignant hyperthermia, anticholinergic toxicity, and sympathomimetic toxicity. Early recognition and timely intervention are crucial for reducing morbidity and mortality.
Downloads
References
Jamshidi N, Dawson A. The hot patient: acute drug-induced hyperthermia. Aust Prescr. 2019;42(1):24-8.
Musselman ME, Saely S. Diagnosis and treatment of drug-induced hyperthermia. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2013;70(1):34-42.
Horseman M, Panahi L, Udeani G, Tenpas AS, Verduzco R, Jr., Patel PH, et al. Drug-induced hyperthermia Review. Cureus. 2022;14(7):e27278.
Eyer F, Zilker T. Bench-to-bedside review: mechanisms and management of hyperthermia due to toxicity. Crit Care. 2007;11(6):236.
Walter E, Carraretto M. Drug-induced hyperthermia in critical care. J Intensive Care Soc. 2015;16(4):306-11.
Niven DJ, Laupland KB. Pyrexia: aetiology in the ICU. Crit Care. 2016;20(1):247.
Morrison SF, Nakamura K. Central mechanisms for thermoregulation. Annu Rev Physiol. 2019;81:285-308.
O'Grady NP, Alexander E, Alhazzani W, Alshamsi F, Cuellar-Rodriguez J, Jefferson BK, et al. Society of critical care medicine and the Infectious Diseases Society of America Guidelines for evaluating new fever in adult patients in the ICU. Crit Care Med. 2023;51(11):1570-86.
Cheshire WP, Fealey RD. Drug-induced hyperhidrosis and hypohidrosis: incidence, prevention and management. Drug Saf. 2008;31(2):109-26.
Pileggi DJ, Cook AM. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Ann Pharmacother. 2016;50(11):973-81.
Wijdicks EFM, Ropper AH. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome. N Engl J Med. 2024;391(12):1130-8.
Berman BD. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome: a review for neurohospitalists. Neurohospitalist. 2011;1(1):41-7.
Ware MR, Feller DB, Hall KL. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome: diagnosis and management. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2018;20(1).
Wadoo O, Ouanes S, Firdosi M. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome: a guide for psychiatrists. BJPsych Advances. 2021;27(6):373-82.
Levenson JL. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Am J Psychiatry. 1985;142(10):1137-45.
Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5™, 5th ed. Arlington, VA, US: American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc.; 2013. xliv, 947-xliv, p.
Foong AL, Grindrod KA, Patel T, Kellar J. Demystifying serotonin syndrome (or serotonin toxicity). Can Fam Physician. 2018;64(10):720-7.
Werneke U, Truedson-Martiniussen P, Wikström H, Ott M. Serotonin syndrome: a clinical review of current controversies. J Integr Neurosci. 2020;19(4):719-27.
Mikkelsen N, Damkier P, Pedersen SA. Serotonin syndrome-A focused review. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2023;133(2):124-9.
Wang RZ, Vashistha V, Kaur S, Houchens NW. Serotonin syndrome: preventing, recognizing, and treating it. Cleve Clin J Med. 2016;83(11):810-7.
Boyer EW, Shannon M. The serotonin syndrome. N Engl J Med. 2005;352(11):1112-20.
Rosenberg H, Pollock N, Schiemann A, Bulger T, Stowell K. Malignant hyperthermia: a review. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2015;10:93.
Gregory H, Weant KA. Pathophysiology and treatment of malignant hyperthermia. Adv Emerg Nurs J. 2021;43(2):102-10.
Kaur H, Katyal N, Yelam A, Kumar K, Srivastava H, Govindarajan R. Malignant hyperthermia. Mo Med. 2019;116(2):154-9.
Pinyavat T, Riazi S, Deng J, Slessarev M, Cuthbertson BH, Ibarra Moreno CA, et al. Malignant hyperthermia. Crit Care Med. 2024;52(12):1934-40.
Dawson AH, Buckley NA. Pharmacological management of anticholinergic delirium - theory, evidence and practice. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2016;81(3):516-24.
Somboonviboon D, Aramareerak P, Lertamornpong A, Piyavechviratana K. Confronting heatstroke: understanding, preventing and treating a deadly condition: review of heatstroke. Clin Crit Care. 2024;32(1):e240018.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 The Thai Society of Critical Care Medicine

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
