Malignant Catatonia Requiring High Dose Bromocriptine: Case Report

Catatonia can occur in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and malignant catatonia is life threatening. Anti-psychotic medications should be discontinued during acute phase of catatonia. Anti-psychotic discontinuation in catatonia is a challenge in patients maintained on long-acting injectable antipsychotics because of the extended release. Case report: We present a case of malignant catatonia developed in a patient with history of schizophrenia and developmental delay. Symptoms lasted several weeks as he was recently administered long acting injectable antipsychotic medication, requiring high dose Bromocriptine treatment. Patient required several days of bromocriptine treatment. Because of the shorter half-life, frequent and higher dosing of bromocriptine led to resolution of malignant catatonia. Malignant catatonia is a medical emergency and prompt treatment including high dose bromocriptine could lead to resolution of catatonia.