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Indian Journal of Emergency Medicine 11(4):p 263-266, Oct - Dec. 2025. | DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/ijem.2395.311X.11425.9
Case Report
A Rare Case of Heat Stroke Complicated by Psychotropic-Induced Impaired Thermoregulation
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Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
Indian Journal of Emergency Medicine 11(4):p 263-266, Oct - Dec. 2025. | DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/ijem.2395.311X.11425.9
How Cite This Article:
Vaja UM, Prasad T. A Rare Case of Heat Stroke Complicated by Psychotropic-Induced Impaired Thermoregulation. Ind J Emerg Med. 2025;11(4):263-266.Timeline
Received : July 01, 2025
Accepted : August 13, 2025
Published : December 30, 2025
Abstract
Background: Heat stroke is a medical emergency marked by core temperature >40°C and neurological dysfunction.1 Individuals on psychotropic medications are especially vulnerable due to impaired thermoregulation and altered behavioural heat responses.3,7 Recognition and rapid intervention are critical to prevent morbidity and mortality.5 Case Presentation: A 28-year-old male with major depressive disorder on multiple psychotropics developed classical heat stroke while working outdoors. He presented with hyperthermia (106°F), seizure like activity, aspiration pneumonia, altered mental status, and respiratory failure. Prompt emergency management included airway protection, rapid cooling, and ventilator support. Imaging revealed aspiration pneumonia, and labs indicated early acute kidney injury and mild rhabdomyolysis. With intensive multidisciplinary care, including psychiatry input, the patient fully recovered and was discharged in stable condition. Conclusion: This case underscores the compounded risks of exertional heat stroke in psychiatric patients and highlights the importance of rapid recognition, aggressive supportive care, and coordinated management in such high-risk populations.
References
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- 3. Raza M., Qadir T., Khan S. Antipsychotic drugs and thermoregulation: implications for emergency care. Emerg Med Int. 2014; 2014: 123091.
- 4. Sawka M.N., Wenger C.B., Pandolf K.B. Thermoregulatory responses to acute exerciseheat stress and heat acclimation. In: Handbook of Physiology: Environmental Physiology. 1996.
- 5. Epstein Y., Yanovich R. Heatstroke. N. Engl J Med. 2019; 380(25): 2449–59.
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- 7. Bassi G., DiGiovanni C.M. Psychotropic medications and heat illness risk: a narrative review. J Psychopharmacol. 2021; 35(9): 1023–32.
Data Sharing Statement
There are no additional data available. All raw data and code are available upon request.
Funding
This research received no funding.
Author Contributions
All authors contributed significantly to the work and approve its publication.
Ethics Declaration
This article does not involve any human or animal subjects, and therefore does not require ethics approval.
Acknowledgements
We would like to express our gratitude to the patients, their families, and all those who have contributed to this study.
Conflicts of Interest
No conflicts of interest in this work.
About this article
Cite this article
Vaja UM, Prasad T. A Rare Case of Heat Stroke Complicated by Psychotropic-Induced Impaired Thermoregulation. Ind J Emerg Med. 2025;11(4):263-266.
Licence:
Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
| Received | Accepted | Published |
|---|---|---|
| July 01, 2025 | August 13, 2025 | December 30, 2025 |
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/ijem.2395.311X.11425.9
Keywords
Heat strokeAspiration PneumoniaAntipsychotic drugsThermoregulation Psychiatric polypharmacyEmergency MedicineSearch for Similar Articles
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Timeline
| Received | July 01, 2025 |
| Accepted | August 13, 2025 |
| Published | December 30, 2025 |
licence
Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)
This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
