clozapine and Skin-Diseases

The recognition, management, and if possible prevention, of major cardiovascular, central nervous system, haematological, and metabolic adverse effects, including diabetes mellitus and weight gain, of antipsychotics and some other drugs used to treat mental illness is a topic of much debate. However, a wide range of other adverse effects, some of which may be life-threatening, may also be encountered. Side-effects reviewed here include: gastrointestinal-associated effects (constipation, hypersalivation, oropharyngeal lesions, nasal congestion, nausea, nocturnal enuresis, and urinary retention), metabolic effects (obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, impaired glucose tolerance, and hypertension), neuromuscular effects (extrapyramidal side effects, myoclonus, and neuroleptic malignant syndrome, and pleurothotonus), thermoregulatory effects, effects on the liver, pancreas, and kidney, sexual side effects, and effects on skin and bone. Metabolic factors affecting the incidence of adverse effects to clozapine especially are also discussed. The increasing use of atypical (second generation) antipsychotics and indeed of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors has led to a greater appreciation of not only the benefits of these drugs, but also of the spectrum of toxicity that may occur in clinical practice. The adverse effects of antipsychotics are a major factor in promoting poor adherence to, and even discontinuation of, antipsychotic treatment on the one hand, and increasing the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disease on the other. As such they merit recognition and either harm minimization strategies (use of the minimum effective dose, or use of lower doses of combinations of antipsychotics), or in extreme cases discontinuation of the offending drug(s).

Topics: Animals; Antipsychotic Agents; Body Temperature Regulation; Bone Diseases; Clozapine; Digestive System Diseases; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Humans; Metabolic Diseases; Neuromuscular Diseases; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological; Skin Diseases

BACKGROUND Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is the most common hematological malignancy in the world. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma the most common type and the cutaneous involvement due to this neoplasm is rare. Some risk factors, such as exposure to pesticides, alcohol consumption, and tobacco use, are well established. Over the past 10 years, the association between clozapine, which is the criterion standard treatment for refractory schizophrenia, and hematological malignancies has been described. CASE REPORT We report a case of a 44-year-old woman diagnosed with schizophrenia 31 years previously, who had been taking clozapine since 2009, presenting with diffuse cutaneous nodules and subcutaneous masses accompanied by asthenia, dry cough, and a weight loss of 12 kg. Computed tomography revealed multiple enlarged lymph nodes on both sides of the diaphragm, in addition to multiple large subcutaneous masses located on the right flank and on the right upper lateral chest wall (infra-axillary), homogeneous splenomegaly, and heterogeneous nodular areas of hypoenhancement, poorly delimited, in both kidneys. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in an advanced stage (IVBX) was diagnosed by skin biopsy, with extranodal involvement. Chemotherapy with R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone every 21 days) was performed and the decision to maintain clozapine was made. At 1.5 years after the initial diagnosis the patient presented with relapse of the disease and is in follow-up. CONCLUSIONS This case report suggests the potential association between clozapine and an increased risk of lymphoma, with a few case reports in the literature reinforcing this association. Additional studies are required to either confirm or dismiss this association, and new guidelines are needed to define the safety and monitoring of the long-term usage of clozapine.

Topics: Adult; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Clozapine; Cyclophosphamide; Doxorubicin; Female; Humans; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Prednisone; Rituximab; Schizophrenia; Skin Diseases; Vincristine

The article deals with questions related to the use of paracorporal automatic drug-administering devices designed for the prolonged administration of psychotropic drugs. This is the first ever experience with the use of artificial systems for drug administration in psychiatry. The authors have developed a scheme of drug administration and determined the optimal rate of injection and daily doses. Possible complications and side effects associated with this method of treatment, as well as the methods for their prevention and control are described in detail. According to preliminary data the administration of psychotropic drugs with the help of automatic devices may contribute significantly to the improvement of social adaptation of patients with minor mental disturbances and make easier the provision of psychotherapy, in particular it may considerably simplify functional training of patients with phobic abnormalities. The method appears to be especially promising with regard to maintenance therapy.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Antipsychotic Agents; Clozapine; Diazepam; Dibenzazepines; Female; Humans; Infusion Pumps; Male; Neurotic Disorders; Schizophrenia; Skin Diseases