Clozapine - induced blood dyscrasias: a 12- month follow-up study of 52 Egyptian psychotic outpatients

ABSTRACT

Conducted a follow up study of 65 Egyptian psychotic outpatients [mean age 33.7 +/- 4.3 years] during a 12-month period who were receiving clozapine at an average daily dosage of 224.33 +/- 31.2 mg. 13 [20%] subjects had refused clozapine treatment after 6 +/- 19 months of use. The rates of clozapine induced leucopenia [4.6%] and neutropenia [1.5%] in the group appeared unduly low and found outweighed by the therapeutic gains and reversible with no cases of agranulocytosis. Genetic polymorphism might be a factor that can influence clozapine concentrations, interactions and blood dyscrasias risk. The study encourages the positive and rational use of psychotropics to their best effect to improve the quality of life for sufferers of mental illness as well an fulfilling cross ethnic psychopharmacologic comparative studies in such an area of interest. It recommends further follow ups of larger samples and establishing clozapine patient monitoring service in Egypt with specified clozapine minimum blood test requirements and restrictions for the patients, prescribers and dispensers