Abstract
Dear Sir,
Agranulocytosis is a well-known adverse effect of clozapine.1 The risk of agranulocytosis is the greatest during the first 18 weeks of initiation with clozapine.2
It is generally recommended to be cautious in prescribing concomitant medication with clozapine that might exacerbate or worsen the risk of agranulocytosis. Some antibiotic classes like sulfonamides, beta lactams and fluoroquinolones are known to cause reduction in neutrophil count. Given the potential for antibiotic use in clozapine patients, clinicians should be aware of this potential elevated risk of neutropenia.
Agranulocytosis is a well-known adverse effect of clozapine.1 The risk of agranulocytosis is the greatest during the first 18 weeks of initiation with clozapine.2
It is generally recommended to be cautious in prescribing concomitant medication with clozapine that might exacerbate or worsen the risk of agranulocytosis. Some antibiotic classes like sulfonamides, beta lactams and fluoroquinolones are known to cause reduction in neutrophil count. Given the potential for antibiotic use in clozapine patients, clinicians should be aware of this potential elevated risk of neutropenia.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 400-400 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Journal | Australasian Psychiatry |
| Volume | 24 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Aug 2016 |
Keywords
- Clozapine
- antibiotics
- neutropenia
- leukopenia
