Clozapine therapy raises serum concentrations of high sensitive C-reactive protein in schizophrenic patients

Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 2010 Mar;25(2):101-6. doi: 10.1097/YIC.0b013e32833643fd.

Abstract

Eight schizophrenic inpatients without manifest comorbidity were longitudinally studied. The aim was to find whether clozapine, the prototype of atypical antipsychotic drugs, altered their serum concentrations of high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), an inflammatory marker of high clinical importance. Following first-time therapy with clozapine, predominantly as the sole antipsychotic for 8 weeks, hsCRP profiles increased subclinically by 600%. This rise, and the Spearman correlation between hsCRP values and corresponding leukocyte counts, was statistically significant. A one-time cross-section investigation of 25 long-term clozapine patients and 25 patient controls did not show an elevation of hsCRP under clozapine after 1 year and more. It is assumed that the clozapine-evoked increase of hsCRP is part of a transient acute-phase response. The underlying inflammatory process needs clarification.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antipsychotic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Antipsychotic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • C-Reactive Protein / metabolism*
  • Clozapine / adverse effects*
  • Clozapine / therapeutic use*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Schizophrenia / blood*
  • Schizophrenia / drug therapy*
  • Schizophrenic Psychology

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • C-Reactive Protein
  • Clozapine