Treating Malignant Catatonia With Liquid Amantadine: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Malignant catatonia (MC) is a complex, life-threatening condition characterized by motor dysregulation and autonomic instability, which requires prompt and effective treatment. There are some limitations to the current recommendations for treating MC, including barriers to receiving ECT, failure to respond to benzodiazepines, or benzodiazepine intolerance. To the authors’ knowledge, there are 3 case reports in the literature describing the use of amantadine in the treatment of MC. We present the case of a 51-year-old female with a history of multiple medical and psychiatric conditions who was admitted to the hospital for altered mental status. During her admission, she developed symptoms that raised concern about MC, which was initially managed with lorazepam. However, due to concerns about severe respiratory compromise, lorazepam was discontinued, and the patient was started on liquid amantadine. She showed marked reduction in the symptoms of malignant catatonia, and the autonomic instability resolved after she was started on amantadine. The patient was eventually discharged home with outpatient follow-up scheduled. Our case report shows successful treatment of MC with liquid amantadine in a patient who was unable to tolerate escalating doses of benzodiazepines. The positive response to amantadine suggests that it may be a useful treatment option for MC. While further studies are needed, clinicians should consider the use of amantadine in the treatment of MC, especially in patients who are unable to tolerate benzodiazepines, who have failed to respond to treatment with benzodiazepines, or who are being treated in institutions where the availability of ECT is limited. Amantadine may be more readily accessible given its multiple formulations and wide availability.