[Clozapine: an exclusive treatment?]

Abstract

Clozapine is an atypical antipsychotic drug which must only be prescribed for the treatment resistant schizophrenic patients. Contra-indications and precautionary measures (F.e no use of a drug that can enhance the potential for a granulocytoxic reaction) have to be well known and respected. There is an increased risk of granulocytopenia, and 1 or 2% of granulocytopenia may induce an agranulocytosis. This risk is compared with what is observed with other psychotropic drugs, phenothiazines particularly. Beyond clozapine adverse effects, three cases of severe cardio-vascular and respiratory dysregulation, one case of sudden death, and one case of induced coma are presented in detail from the literature: possible interactions between clozapine and adjunctive medications are discussed. Appropriate patients should be proposed a treatment by clozapine, in principle without association to any other psychotropic drug and in all the necessary precautions.