Drug-Induced Hyperthermia Assessment

Clinical decision support tool for differentiating Serotonin Syndrome and Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome

⚠️ Clinical Tool: This assessment is for clinical decision support only. Always consider clinical judgment and seek immediate medical attention for suspected drug-induced hyperthermia syndromes.

Patient Demographics & Vital Signs

Medication Exposure

Neurological Examination Findings

Autonomic & Other Clinical Findings

Laboratory Values (Optional but Helpful)

Clinical Assessment Results

Medical Documentation

This formatted text can be copied and pasted directly into medical records, progress notes, or consultation reports.

⚠️ Important Differential Diagnoses to Consider

Always consider these conditions in patients presenting with hyperthermia, altered mental status, and autonomic dysfunction:

Drug-Induced Syndromes:

  • Serotonin Syndrome - Hyperreflexia, clonus, tremor
  • Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome - Lead-pipe rigidity, bradykinesia
  • Malignant Hyperthermia - Post-anesthesia, muscle rigidity
  • Anticholinergic Delirium - "Mad as a hatter, dry as a bone"
  • Sympathomimetic Overdose - Cocaine, amphetamines
  • Sedative Withdrawal - Alcohol, benzodiazepines

Infectious Causes:

  • Meningitis - Neck stiffness, photophobia
  • Encephalitis - Focal neurological signs
  • Sepsis - Hypotension, organ dysfunction

Neurological Conditions:

  • Malignant Catatonia - Waxy flexibility, posturing
  • Stroke - Focal deficits, sudden onset
  • Nonconvulsive Status Epilepticus - EEG changes
  • Parkinson's Crisis - Known PD, rigidity worsening

Metabolic/Endocrine:

  • Thyrotoxicosis - Tachycardia, weight loss
  • Pheochromocytoma - Paroxysmal HTN, headache
  • Heat Stroke - Environmental exposure

Clinical Pearl: The presence of specific neurological findings can help differentiate: Hyperreflexia + clonus suggests serotonin syndrome, lead-pipe rigidity suggests NMS, while waxy flexibility points toward catatonia.