Intravenous lisuride in the treatment of the neuroleptic malignant syndrome.

Four severe cases of the neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) were successfully treated with intravenous infusion of the dopamine agonist lisuride in doses up to 0.25 mg per hour or 4.0 mg per day, respectively. Dramatic improvements of the clinical symptoms--in particular the extrapyramidal syndrome and state of consciousness-- could be observed in two cases. The pharmacological properties of intravenous lisuride seem to make it an alternative in the treatment of NMS, which merits further study.