Understanding drug-induced hyperthermia

Drug-induced hyperthermia

Authors

  • Sasathorn Tharapoom Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Phramongkutklao Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand, 10400
  • Dujrath Somboonviboon Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Phramongkutklao Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand, 10400

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54205/ccc.v34.278235

Keywords:

Drug-induced hyperthermia, Neuroleptic malignant syndrome, Serotonin syndrome, Malignant hyperthermia, Anticholinergic toxicity, Sympathomimetic toxicity

Abstract

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

Download data is not yet available.

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

2026-02-11

How to Cite

1.
Tharapoom S, Somboonviboon D. Understanding drug-induced hyperthermia: Drug-induced hyperthermia . Clin Crit Care [internet]. 2026 Feb. 11 [cited 2026 Mar. 13];34(1):e260005. available from: https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/ccc/article/view/278235

Issue

Section

Review Articles