[Hematologic effects of clozapine: evaluation of the international experience].
Before clozapine was marketed, 4 cases of agranulocytosis occurred amongst the 2,900 patients exposed to the drug in the clinical studies from 1962 to 1972. At that time the frequency of 0.14% was considered comparable to that published with some phenothiazines. After clozapine was launched in different countries, several notifications of agranulocytosis/granulocytopenia were reported, with a high mortality ratio in some countries. This outbreak of agranulocytosis has led to the implementation of recommendations, particularly a strict worldwide hematologic surveillance with a discontinuation of clozapine when the white blood cells drop below a critical level. This article emphasizes the positive impact of these precautionary measures on the present incidence of the agranulocytosis and on the mortality ratio.
Lamarque
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Responsable Pharmacovigilance et Communication médicale, Laboratories Sandoz, Rueil Malmaison.
D000380:Agranulocytosis / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003024:Clozapine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000187:drug effects; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology
D003024:Clozapine
Effets hématologiques de la clozapine: bilan de l'expérience internationale.