clozapine and Enterocolitis

Clozapine's use has been restricted to the treatment of schizophrenic patients unresponsive to conventional antipsychotics, secondary to its propensity to cause agranulocytosis. Because of this restriction, side effects associated with clozapine's use have probably not been fully elucidated. The authors describe a case of a male schizophrenic who developed clozapine-induced agranulocytosis and subsequently a neutropenic enterocolitis. Neutropenic enterocolitis related to clozapine-induced neutropenia or agranulocytosis has not previously been reported in the literature. The history of clozapine, its side effects, and the phenomenon of neutropenic enterocolitis are briefly reviewed.

Topics: Agranulocytosis; Clozapine; Enterocolitis; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neutropenia; Schizophrenia; Treatment Outcome