Clozapine-induced bicytopenia: An unusual side effect

Indian J Pharmacol. 2018 Mar-Apr;50(2):88-90. doi: 10.4103/ijp.IJP_686_17.

Abstract

Agranulocytosis is a rare documented side effect of clozapine which can be associated with grave consequences. When it is associated with other blood dyscrasia, prognosis worsens further. In literature, there are very few cases of pancytopenia and bicytopenia caused by clozapine. We present a case of bicytopenia (reduced white and red blood cells' counts) caused by clozapine within a month of therapy and complicated by a Klebsiella pneumoniae infection. Patient improved in 3 weeks after stopping clozapine along with medical management in the Intensive Care Unit. Such side effects, though rare, can be life threatening and warrants intermittent complete blood monitoring besides regular assessment of granulocytes and neutrophils when any patient is prescribed clozapine.

Keywords: Bicytopenia; blood monitoring; clozapine.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anemia / chemically induced*
  • Antipsychotic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Blood Cell Count
  • Clozapine / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Klebsiella Infections / blood
  • Klebsiella Infections / urine
  • Klebsiella pneumoniae
  • Leukopenia / chemically induced*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Schizophrenia / blood
  • Schizophrenia / drug therapy
  • Schizophrenia / urine

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Clozapine